What a thrilling night in Willmar, and a great 4-3 win for your MoonDogs!
Mankato struggled to get the bats going early but once they did it was go time! With 8 hits and 4 runs, this game was definitely a much needed victory to get this team back on track going into a series back home.
Josh Alexander (Louisiana Lafayette) had the first hit of the night in the 4th inning getting things going for Mankato.
Willmar took the lead in the 3rd but the MoonDogs answered back in the 5th to take the lead 2-1 on an off the wall double by Taylor Steig (Olivet Nazarene).
Again tonight pitching was a big factor in the early innings. Tate Marland (Cedarville University) started on the bump for Mankato picking up right where he left off from his last outing, going 4.2 innings with just 2 ER and 3 hits.
Bryce Crabb (University of Northwestern St. Paul) came in relief for Mankato throwing 3.2 innings giving up just 1 run.
Mankato would go on to take the lead on a pinch hit double by Casey Sorg in the 8th which set up Eli Anderson (NIACC) with a 2 run single to take the lead 4-2.
Things would get a little uneasy in the bottom of the 9th on a solo home run by Willmar’s Andrew Sojka to make it a 4-3 game, but Aiden McGee (Minnesota State University Mankato) ultimately slammed the door striking out Hynek to close it out.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Entering its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 350 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network. Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
