Blue Anchors fall to MoonDogs in series finale

May 29, 2014 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Alexandria Blue Anchors News Release


Mankato, Minn. - The Alexandria Blue Anchors dropped the second game of a two-game set against the Mankato MoonDogs Wednesday night 4-2 at Franklin Rogers Park. The Anchors now stand at 0-2 on the young season.

Mankato got on the board in the first inning against starter Jason Zgardowski. Brett Synek reached first on an error by second baseman Brett Becker and moved to second on a ground out. With two outs, Spencer O'Neil singled to right scoring Synek and giving the MoonDogs a 1-0 lead.

The Blue Anchors put together a rally in the top of the sixth against Brock Dykxhoorn. Blake Bass starting the inning by reaching on an error and advancing to second on a Lucas Herd base hit. Ryan Busch bunted both into scoring position for Jason Shaul who hit a sacrifice fly to left field bring home Bass and tying the score at one.

The MoonDogs grabbed the lead in the bottom of the seventh against reliever Kevin Walsh. After recording a scoreless sixth, Walsh walked Synek and gave up a single to David Petrino. O'Neil sacrificed both runners to second and third. Eric Schenck was internally walked to load the bases but Derek Umphres reached on a fielder's choice to score Synek, making the score 2-1. Mankato's rally continued as Brinn Bell hit a single, bringing home Petrino and Schenck to extend MoonDogs' lead to 4-1.

Alexandria had one last rally in the top of the eighth with Mark Curtis on in relief of Dykxhoorn. Herd reached on an error by Logan Gray and moved to second on a passed ball. After the strikeout of Busch, Austin Warner entered the game. Herd got to third on a throwing error by the catcher Ridge Smith and Shaul doubled home Herd to close the deficit to 4-2 in Mankato's favor.

Zgardowski finished the night with five innings pitched allowing an unearned run on seven hits, one walk and one strikeout. Walsh (0-1) took the loss going 1.1 innings giving up three runs on four hits and two free passes while punching out one batter. Robbie Mouton came on in relief of Walsh in the eighth and induced a double play to the only batter he faced. Graylon Brown finished the game pitching one scoreless inning allowing just one hit and recorded all his outs via the strikeout.

Minnesota Baseball Academy Player of the Game - Jason Zgardowski (RHP) - The Angelo State righty gave the Anchors a solid start and pounded the strike zone throwing 66 percent strikes.

Notes: The Blue Anchors next game is Thursday night, starting a two-game series against the Waterloo Bucks...Blake Bass (0-0, 0.00) will make his pitching debut...The game, starting at 6:35 p.m., can be seen live at www.youtube.com/user/NorthwoodsLeague.com.



Northwoods League Stories from May 29, 2014


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