MoonDogs Launch Leadoff Home Run and Don't Look Back, Split with Bucks
Published on July 15, 2020 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Mankato MoonDogs News Release
Mankato, Minn. -ÃÂ The Mankato MoonDogs didn't look back after blasting a leadoff home run to get scoring started Wednesday night. They upended the Waterloo Bucks, 5-3, and salvaged the two-game series split.
Zach KokoskaÃÂ got the MoonDogs rolling Wednesday night. Just four pitches in, the Dogs right fielder got around on one and blasted it off the Franklin Rogers Park videoboard for his first home run of the summer. It put Mankato up 1-0 through one at The Frank.
Back-to-back wild pitches in the fourth allowedÃÂ Tanner CraigÃÂ andÃÂ Michael CurialleÃÂ to score. Kokoska came across in the same at bat when the MoonDogs leader in hits,ÃÂ Zach Gilles, blooped a base hit to left.ÃÂ Dylan PhillipsÃÂ recorded his first RBI of the summer and made it 5-0 when he drove in the MoonDogs' right fielder later in the inning.
Waterloo responded with a run in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. However, it wasn't enough for the MoonDogs five runs in the first four frames and the game ended 5-3 with the MoonDogs upping their record to 2-9.
The box score saw the MoonDogs outhit the Bucks 8-6. Both teams were efficient in the field with no errors.
The loss went to Waterloo'sÃÂ Nolan Meredith. He pitched three innings as the Bucks' starter and surrendered three runs on six hits.
Earning the win was MoonDogs starter,ÃÂ Deylen Miley. Despite early run support, Miley was solid in his second start with Mankato. He went five complete innings, was hit off three times for a run and struck out six while walking one.ÃÂ Thomas BrussÃÂ garnered a save for his work on the hill Wednesday night. Bruss pitched the ninth and faced four Bucks batters and allowed only a walk.
The MoonDogs (2-9) make their first trip to Rochester, Minn., tomorrow to take on the Honkers (2-6) the next two nights. The series, at Mayo Field, begins with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch Thursday night.
Northwoods League Stories from July 15, 2020
- MoonDogs Launch Leadoff Home Run and Don't Look Back, Split with Bucks - Mankato MoonDogs
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