Mankato, MINN. – The Mankato MoonDogs took care of business Friday night, beating the Badlands Big Sticks 10-4 at ISG Field.

After a scoreless first three innings, the MoonDogs got things going in the fourth, putting up four runs to take a 4-1 lead. Mankato added two runs in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to build a 10-3 lead.

Sam Erickson (Lamar University) had a big night at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. Kaleb Wilkey (University of Evansville) also finished 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Jack Mislan (Lafayette College) added three RBIs, while Sean Griggs (Monmouth University) drove in two.

Evan Hughes (East Stroudsburg University) got the start and put together five solid innings, giving up just two hits and one unearned run while striking out six. Stone Silver (Houston Baptist University) and Gavyn Hayden (Alexandria Tech CC) finished off the game, allowing just three runs over the final four innings.

The Big Sticks scored once in the ninth, but the MoonDogs closed it out to pick up the 10-4 win.

Mankato will be back at ISG Field tomorrow night as the MoonDogs play their final game of the season against the Badlands Big Sticks at 6:35 pm.

###

The Northwoods League is the proven leader in developing elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history 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 410 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 (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford 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, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (NYM).