MANKATO-Minn. The Mankato MoonDogs didn’t waste time getting the hits rolling as they went on to a 4-1 victory over St. Cloud Tuesday night at Franklin Rogers Park.
It started in the bottom of the first when St. Cloud starting pitcher Matt Rodgers gave up a pair of walks to leadoff hitter Tyler Sullivan and Brinn Bell. MoonDogs first baseman Levi Scott followed with a single to left to load the bases, bringing Spencer O’Neil to the plate. O’Neil was able to drive in three runs with an 0-2 count on a solid single in the left center field gap. A two out double from Eric Schenck-Joblinske scored Sullivan, bringing the MoonDogs first inning total to four.
Ethan Greene got the start and the win on the mound for the MoonDogs and pitched well, going six full innings and giving up just three hits and zero earned runs while striking out three and walking two. Matt Rodgers got the loss for St. Cloud, working just the first inning and giving up four earned runs on three hits while walking two.
The Rox only run of the game came in the fifth inning when catcher Charles Galiano reached on a single and was able to advance to third on a wild pitch. He would score on a past ball.
The MoonDogs did face a threat in the top of inning nine when St. Cloud loaded the bases following a single by Charles Galiano, an error at first base, and base hit up the middle. MoonDogs second baseman Brett Synek nearly made the play, fielding the ball on the run and throwing against his body to first base.
Pitcher Jacob Westerhouse came up with a timely strikeout though when the Rox pinch hit for Kyle Thorell, giving Clay Ardeeser a chance to hit with the bases loaded and two outs. Ardeeser is currently fifth in the Northwoods League in hitting with a .358 batting average. Westerhouse picked up the save.
The MoonDogs are back at home for the third night in their eight game home stand tomorrow night at Franklin Rogers Park. Their victory tonight gives them a record of 10-6, two games behind the division leading Willmar Stingers and extended their winning streak to four games. St. Cloud drops to 11-5 on the year, putting them in second place in the North Division.
You can listen to all MoonDogs home and away contests on AM1230 The Fan Mankato with play by play radio broadcaster Josh Horton all season long.
The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visitwww.mankatomoondogs.com
###
