Thriller in the 9th!!!
(7/5/05)

With the score tied at three and the bases jammed in the bottom of the ninth inning, L.J. Mims walked into the batters box with two outs. Mims patiently waited for his pitch until he grounded a ball to first base. It looked as though the game was headed into extra innings until the Alexandria Beetles first baseman, Jimmy Bacon, took a tough hop of his chest allowing Mims to reach first and Bobby Verbick to cross the plate with the game winning run in a 4-3 thriller.

Neil Wagner came on in the top of the ninth inning to shut the door on the Beetles, but gave up a game tying homerun with two outs to Jeremy Burchett. The Beetles retired two quick batters in the bottom of the ninth until Verbick singled and reached second base due to a fielding error by the right fielder. Last night’s hero, Reid Fronk and Travis Howell were both walked to load the bases for tonight’s hero, L.J. Mims. One error later, Verbick was trounced by his teammates as he stepped on home plate to win the game and sweep the Beetles in the two-game series.

The designated hitter, Verbick, played outstanding going 2-5 with three runs scored and a double. Fronk finished the night with a 2-4 performance at the plate with one RBI, a double and a stolen base.

MoonDogs starter Brandon Thomson went 4.2 innings allowing no earned runs. Joey Haug pitched 3.1 scoreless innings in relief and Wagner picked up his first win of the year.

The MoonDogs will continue their seven game home stand tomorrow night against the first place Madison Mallards. In honor of ‘Dogs Vs Ducks, tickets, soda, and hotdogs, are all just a buck. Gates will open at 6:05 p.m. For tickets call the MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047 or stop by either Hy-Vee location in Mankato.