Mankato, MN – The Mankato MoonDogs (4-5, 22-23) were able to top the Eau Claire Express (3-7, 16-28) in dramatic walk off fashion in front of a third consecutive sellout crowd of 1,401 at Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato, Minnesota by a score of 5-4.

Both bullpens picked up their starting pitchers who were unable to make it into the fifth inning. MoonDogs, Rickey Ramirez (1-1) would finish with a line of one run allowed, four strikeouts, while scattering seven hits over 4 2/3 innings. For the Express, Doug Still (0-1) would go four innings allowing two runs and eight hits.

In the top of the fifth Cody O’Brien would relieve starter Ramirez who left with the bases load and two outs. O’Brien would not disappoint in his MoonDogs debut as he would strikeout Express catcher Nathan Krause to end the frame and preserve the lead.

Heads-up base running by David Metzgar, who went first to third on a sacrifice bunt by Mikel Mucha, would score on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Weston, which would tie the game in the seventh.

Metzgar would also drive in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth.  He would finish 2-for-4 on the game with two RBI’s.

The Express however would answer in the top half of the ninth, as Kyle Marinconz would double home the tying run.

This would set up for an exhilarating finish. Kyle Weston would double to lead off the bottom of the ninth. A walk, and a sacrifice bunt would bring up Kaden Moore who would single up the middle and plate the winning run. Weston went 3-for-4 with a run scored and one RBI, Moore would finish 3-for-5 also with a run scored and one RBI.

Snagging the win would be Samuel Myers (3-3) and taking the loss would be Ryan Schlosser (0-1).

Day five of the seven game home stand continues tomorrow, Saturday, for Think Pink Night presented by Liv Aveda Salon & Spa, Mankato Clinic and Hot 96.7. The MoonDogs will be wearing special pink jerseys for breast cancer awareness that will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to a local Susan G Komen team. Gates open at 5:05pm, first pitch 6:05pm.  

"The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, 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 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.”