MoonDogs Edge Loggers to Win Extra-Inning Opening Day Thriller
June 1, 2021 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Mankato MoonDogs News Release
MANKATO, Minn. -ÃÂ The Mankato MoonDogs (1-0) kicked off the 20th season in walk-off fashion, upending the La Crosse Loggers 2-1 in 10 innings during a Northwoods League contest, Monday.
In his MoonDogs debut,ÃÂ Mitchell NovakÃÂ (St. Scholastica) was the hero with a 10th-inning single through the right side which scoredÃÂ Caleb HeuertzÃÂ (Midland College) from third to give the Dogs their first win of the season on opening night.
AfterÃÂ Bryce NovakÃÂ (Gustavus) gave the MoonDogs their first run and lead on a wild pitch in the fourth inning, the Loggers evened the scored withÃÂ Darrian Escobar-WinterÃÂ hitting a ground-rule RBI double to center. After five innings the score was tied 1-1. Mitchell Novak proved the game-winning hit through the left side five innings later.
Despite outhitting being outhit 6-3 and having the game's only three mishaps in the field, the MoonDogs prevailed to move to 1-0 in 2021.
Returning MoonDogs' relieverÃÂ Nolan PenderÃÂ (Bellarmine) (1-0) secured his first win of the season in the season opener after pitching the top of the 10th for the Dogs. The starting arm was right-handed pitcherÃÂ Blake ReillyÃÂ (Grand Canyon) who three complete innings of one-hit shutout baseball. He struck out four and walked one along the way.
The loss went to Loggers' right-handerÃÂ Marius BalandisÃÂ (0-1). Balandis entered the game in the seventh and worked his way to the loss.ÃÂ
The MoonDogs and Loggers rematch again Tuesday with the first pitch at ISG Field going out at 6:35 p.m.
Northwoods League Stories from June 1, 2021
- Walks Hinder Bombers in Second Straight Loss to Growlers - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Mallards Fall to Chinooks 11-3, Split Opening Series - Madison Mallards
- Spitters Sweep to Start Season - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Mallards Host Lakeshore for Finale of Opening Series - Madison Mallards
- Loggers Fall to MoonDogs in Season Opener - La Crosse Loggers
- Booyah Set for Home Opener at Improved Ballpark - Green Bay Rockers
- Fond du Lac Travel to Green Bay - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Wheaton, Growlers Pitchers Assert Dominance in Opening Day Triumph over Battle Creek - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Kingfish Fall 6-1 on Opening Day - Kenosha Kingfish
- Honkers Rally in Ninth for Opening Night Victory - Rochester Honkers
- Platinum-Selling Artist Jimmie Allen Set to Perform at Copeland Park & Events Center - La Crosse Loggers
- Bombers Drop Season Opener against Rival - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Larks Send Kaitlyn off with Win - Bismarck Larks
- Loggers Lose on Opening Night 2-1 on a Mankato Walk-Off - La Crosse Loggers
- Woodchucks Rally in the Rain - Wausau Woodchucks
- Rafters Outlasted by Woodchucks in 10 Inning, Six Hour Season Opener - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Stingers Drop 2021 Opener at Bismarck - Willmar Stingers
- MoonDogs Edge Loggers to Win Extra-Inning Opening Day Thriller - Mankato MoonDogs
- Dominant Pitching Leads Rivets to Season-Opening Victory - Rockford Rivets
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