July 21, 2015 

Wis. Rapids, WI – On a night that featured the elite of the Northwoods League, four MoonDogs would take part in the 2015 Northwood’s League All-Star Game Tuesday night in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Though the South Division would come out on top 3-1, the MoonDogs would shine. 

Paul Panaccione would be first in the spot light as he competed in the Homerun Challenge. Panaccione would help lead the North Division team to victory and would come in third out of the 18 competitors in the contest.

Panaccione would also be the first MoonDog to enter the game representing Mankato in the starting lineup.  He would bat fifth in the lineup and get the start as shortstop. Though he would go hitless in his two plate appearances he would make several solid defensive plays in the infield.

 Grant Hamilton would work a scoreless bottom of the third inning.

Austin Warner would face one man in the bottom of the sixth and one man in the bottom of the seventh striking out both men while only throwing nine pitches.

Relieving Warner in the bottom of the seventh would be fellow teammate Rickey Ramirez. Ramirez would light up the radar gun as he faced three batters allowing one walk and struck out two men to finish the seventh inning.

Four of the seven outs recorded by MoonDog pitchers in the game were strikeouts. The trio also didn’t allow a hit on the night.

The MoonDogs are off today, July 22, and return to action tomorrow, Thursday July 23, in Alexandria to face off against the Blue Anchors before returning to The Frank for a four game home stand beginning Saturday July 25 at 6:05pm against the Willmar Stingers. Gates will open at 5:05pm for Dickey's Barbeque Eating Contest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"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.”