TWO WALK OFFS IN 5 GAMES FOR MANKATO!!!!!!!!

 

Mankato wins 4-3. 

 

What a start to the season for MoonDog fans, the ups and downs of nights with just 1 hit to another walk off win. 

 

After yet another slow start to the game, Mankato jumped out to a lead in the 5th scoring 3 runs. 

 

Eli Anderson (NIACC) and Taylor Steig (Olivet Nazarene) both drew walks in the 5th and an RBI single by Josh Alexander (Louisiana Lafayette) set up a good lead for Mankato. 

 

St. Cloud would get one back in the 7th on an E3 scoring Sawyer Smith. 

 

They would also eventually tie the game in the 8th, Jaixen Frost scored on a FC and Ben Higdon scored on a throw down to second. 

 

After what looked like a shaky 8th inning, Grant Garza came out in the 9th shutting down St. Cloud in 3 batters throwing just 11 pitches that inning. 

 

Then it all came down to the 9th. Eli Anderson walked, Cooper Holtorf (Paradise Valley Community College) was hit by a pitch, Ben Bach (University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma) came in as a pinch hitter and was also walked which set up Alexander for an RBI single to walk it off. 

 

A headfirst slide into first just beat the throw winning it for Mankato!

 

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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Entering its’ 31^st 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