MANKATO, Minn.—The 2012 Mankato MoonDogs’ roller coaster of a season has came to an end to a 1-8 championship round loss to the La Crosse Loggers in La Crosse, Wisc.

Mike Avila (Missouri Baptist) got the start on the mound for the ‘Dogs in the big game and went 3.0 innings, gave up seven hits, struck out three, walked three, and allowed five Loggers runs across the plate.

Kevin Corey (Chabot) then came in for relief and lasted 2.2 innings, giving up six hits, striking out two, and allowing two runs.

Matt Marsh (College of Central Florida) then entered the game on the mound and went the remainder of the game. The 2012 All Star pitcher went 2.1 innings, not giving up a hit to the Loggers, struck out six batters, and allowed a single run to get across home plate.

The offense for the MoonDogs could not keep up the with smashmouth Loggers. The Dogs’ only managed to get three hits in all of the championship round, and only had 27 at bats compared to the Loggers’ 34.

Alex Wise (Northeastern JC) led off for the MoonDogs and went one-for-three on the night.

John Michael Twichell (Texas Arlington) was the designated hitter and also went one-for-three.

Andrew Coffman (Ellsworth CC) was behind the plate for the ‘Dogs and also went one-for-three.

It was a well-fought season by the Mankato MoonDogs who had faced, and overcame many challenges throughout the season to make it to the championship series. Despite losing in two games in the series, the MoonDogs had to beat many odds, and came together as a team in the short while that they had with the many new players that were added on in the second half of the series.

The MoonDogs organization would like to give a special thanks to all the MoonDog fans, our sponsors, and the city of Mankato for making the 2012 season possible.