The Mankato MoonDogs dropped a tough 3-1 decision in the series finale with the Lakeshore Chinooks on a chilly Friday night at Kapco Park in Mequon, WI.
The Chinooks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the home half of the first inning. Luke Meeteer was hit by a pitch and Jake Noll dropped down a bunt single to put runners on first and second with nobody out. Later in the inning Kyle Wood laced a single to right field to load the bases with one out and Michael Mormon followed with a sacrifice fly to left field. Ryan Krill then capped the scoring with an RBI single to right field.
Mankato picked up a run in the top half of the fifth. Tyler Sullivan executed a perfect drag bunt with one out in the inning and then advanced to third on a perfectly placed ground ball through the left side off the bat of Jake Yacinich on a hit and run. Sullivan then came home to score on a wild pitch, tightening the Chinkooks’ lead to just 2-1 heading into the home half of the fifth inning.
Lakeshore picked up an insurance run in the home half of the eighth inning, extending its lead to 3-1. Wood started the rally with a one-out single to left field and then stole second. Krill then brought Wood home with an RBI single right back up the middle.
The MoonDogs were held scoreless in the ninth and the Chinooks emerged with a 3-1 victory in the series finale.
Colin Wendinger picked up the win, tossing six innings allowing just one run on six hits while striking out three. Andrew Elliot picked up his first save of the year with a scoreless ninth.
Ethan Greene pitched well, but earned the loss for the MoonDogs. The right-hander tossed 5.2 innings and allowed just two runs on four hits while striking out six. Cole Stapler tossed 1.1 innings of scoreless relief and struck out two.
With the loss the MoonDogs fall to 2-2 while the Chinooks improve to 2-2. Friday night was the last time the two teams would meet in the regular season.
Mankato travels to Kenosha to begin a two-game series with the Kingfish and then return home to “The Frank” to host Willmar. First pitch for Saturday evening is slated for 6:05 p.m.
