MoonDogs Obliterate Willmar in Season Opener
Published on May 26, 2026 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Mankato MoonDogs News Release
Mankato, MINN. - The Mankato MoonDogs dominated their home opener against the Willmar Stingers with a 16-0 victory at ISG Field.
The MoonDogs came out swinging early, putting up four runs in the first inning to immediately set the tone. One run came when Carson Schmidt (University of Nebraska) crossed home plate on a balk. The offense stayed hot in the second inning, adding two more runs to extend the early lead.
On the mound, Sam Stockman (University of St. Thomas) delivered an impressive performance and earned the Center Point Energy High Energy Player of the Game honors. Stockman pitched six strong innings, recording five strikeouts while facing 28 batters.
The MoonDogs continued to dominate offensively throughout the night. Camden Bates (Grand Canyon University) launched a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to push the lead to 9-0. Later in the game, Liam Ebbs (Lafayette College) added another hit in the eighth inning, bringing in two more runs for Mankato.
Pitching remained dominant from start to finish. Wade Thewes (Wittenberg University) took over in the seventh inning and threw an immaculate inning, three batters, and just nine pitches. Nick Johnson (Minnesota State University, Mankato) and Ryan Dilger (Chandler-Gilbert CC) closed out the final innings, preserving the shutout victory over the Stingers.
The MoonDogs and Stingers will face each other tonight, May 26, at ISG Field, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Season tickets, group outings, flex plans, and Opening Day ticket packages are on sale now with ticket information available at www.mankatomoondogs.com or by calling the MoonDogs ticket office at (507) 625-7047. The MoonDogs office is also open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., 1221 Caledonia St., Mankato, MN.
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