Mankato, Minn. – For the second time in three days, the MoonDogs dropped a pitcher’s duel. Bennett Whitmore allowed just one earned run on seven hits in seven innings, but he was bested by Mark Larini. Larini threw six shutout innings, allowed four hits and struck out two to give Wisconsin a 1-0 win over Mankato at Franklin Rogers Park.

The Woodchucks (28-36, 15-15) scored the only run of the ballgame in the second inning. Jeremy Richter (UW-Stevens Point) doubled to lead-off the frame and moved to third on a Casey Rihn (South Carolina) groundout. Carson Vitale (Creighton) brought Richter home with a sac fly to center to provide the only run of the game.

The MoonDogs had a golden opportunity in the seventh to tie or take the lead. With runners on second and third and one out, the MoonDogs failed to plate a run, as Taylor Black (Kentucky) grounded out to a drawn-in infield and Nick Judkins (Iowa Central) struck out to end the threat.

Whitmore (Oregon) fell to 3-2 on the summer for the MoonDogs (38-27, 15-17) despite the brilliant outing while Larini posted his first win of the summer (1-1).

Anthony Drobnicki picked up the save throwing the last three innings and striking out three.

Cody Fick (Evansville) was the only MoonDog with two his, going 2-4 on the evening. Richter had two hits on the night for the Woodchucks, while Chad Wright (Kentucky) also added a 2-4 night.

The MoonDogs will take on the Chucks tomorrow in the last regular season home game before the playoffs. It’s Fan Appreciation Night, as a post game fireworks show will follow the 7:05 game.