The Mankato MoonDogs ran into some tough pitching in a 3-2 loss to the Willmar Stingers at Bill Taunton Stadium in the second game of the Northwoods League Playoffs on Tuesday evening.

With the loss the MoonDogs will now play the Stingers in an elimination game for both teams with the winner hosting the Lakeshore Chinooks on Thursday evening.

The MoonDogs jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead by taking advantage of a fielding miscue that allowed Peter Maris to score on a broken bat ground ball off the bat of Levi Scott that found its way into the outfield.

The Stingers struck right back in the bottom of the first on an RBI double off the base of the right-centerfield wall.

Scott recaptured the lead for the MoonDogs with a sacrifice fly in the top of the second, but the Stingers answered back with two of their own on a Max Ayoub RBI single and a Brian Pruett sacrifice fly.

A.J. Puckett had a solid outing for the Stingers, allowing just one earned run on three hits while striking out seven and walking three. Matt Geislinger was stellar in relief, tossing three scoreless innings and not allowing a hit while striking out four.

Dillon Williams pitched well in a losing effort, allowing just one earned run on seven hits over four innings. Austin Warner was magnificent in relief, tossing four scoreless innings and not allowing a hit while striking out eight.

The MoonDogs and Stingers meet again Wednesday evening at 7:05 p.m. Mitchell Traver gets the nod for the MoonDogs while Kurt Yinger takes the hill for the Stingers in final game of the best of three series.