Willmar, Minn- The Mankato MoonDogs snapped their two game losing streak, winning game one of Saturday’s double-header, 5-4 at Bill Taunton Stadium.

MoonDogs starting pitcher Sam Selman (Vanderbilt) struck out a season high 10 batters over six innings of work, but suffered a no-decision for the second consecutive outing. Selman gave up an early run in the first inning, but found his groove in the second, facing just three batters. Selman would, at one point, retire 11 straight Stingers batters before being taken out of the game in the seventh.

The Stingers would take advantage of the situation, hitting MoonDogs reliever, Joel Pulliam (Iowa Central) two runs on one hit. Patrick Goelz (Bethune-Cookman) also gave up a run in the seventh, but earned the victory in game one. Mike Rivera (Fresno Pacific) earned his second save of the summer, pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

Rivera also found himself in the line up Saturday afternoon, batting in the DH position. Rivera jump started the MoonDogs offense, tying the game 1-1 in the fourth inning when he blasted his first home run in a MoonDogs uniform over the left field wall. Mankato’s offense would add three more in the sixth, but wound up in a 4-4 tie heading into the eighth inning. Steve Nyisztor (Rutgers) led of the eighth with a bunt base hit down the third base line, and later scored the winning run on a Matt Reida (Kentucky) RBI single. Nyisztor finished the day 3-for-3 with a run scored.

Game two of Saturday’s day-night double header between the MoonDogs and Stingers is scheduled for 7:05pm in Willmar. Tyler Niederklein (Nebraska) takes the mound for the MoonDogs. A victory Saturday night will give the MoonDogs 41 wins on the season, tying the franchise record set in 2009. The MoonDogs return home Sunday evening to take on the first place, Alexandria Beetles in a pivotal two game series starting August 7th at Franklin Rogers Park. Tickets for any of the MoonDogs remaining home games are now on sale at the MoonDogs office located at 1221 Caledonia Street. For more information visit our website at www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047.