MoonDogs Walk-Off Rox to Keep Undefeated Streak Alive
June 4, 2021 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Mankato MoonDogs News Release
MANKATO, Minn. -ÃÂ The Mankato MoonDogs (4-0) walked off the St. Cloud Rox (0-2) in the ninth for a 2-1 win at ISG Field to complete their second series sweep of the summer, Thursday.
James ShimashitaÃÂ (San Jose State) was the MoonDogs' hero with a bases-loaded single to right-center that walked it off in the ninth and crowned the MoonDogs victorious while moving them to an unblemished 4-0 record this season. Thursday's win also moved the MoonDogs closer to reaching their best start since the 2016 season, where they started the campaign 5-0.
AfterÃÂ Matthew HigginsÃÂ (Bellarmine) doubled to the rightfield corner, he moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on an RBI groundout hit byÃÂ Spencer NivensÃÂ (Missouri State) which gave the MoonDogs a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning.
The Rox tied the game 1-1 in the top of the eighth before Shimashita called game with his walk-off hit in the ninth.ÃÂ
Although the MoonDogs dropped the hits battle 9-5, they found a way to come out on top 2-1. The Rox finished with the game's only error.
On the mound for the Dogs was starting arm right-handerÃÂ Blake ReillyÃÂ (Grand Canyon) making his second start of the season. Reilly finished with a no-decision despite never surrendering a run in five innings of work. He allowed three hits and struck out seven along the way. The win went to Cleveland, Minn., nativeÃÂ Bryce NovakÃÂ (Gustavus) who pitched the ninth inning allowing a walk and striking out one en route to a 1-0 record.
The starting arm for the Rox wasÃÂ Bryce RobisonÃÂ who threw five frames of one-run ball for St. Cloud. He gave up three hits, walked one and struck out seven. The loss went toÃÂ Andrew Morones, who fell to 0-1 as a result, after he loaded the bases which led up to Shimashita's walk-off hit.
Up next, the Mankato MoonDogs are headed to Wisconsin to take on the Eau Claire Express, Friday at 7:05 p.m., to start a two-game road series.
Northwoods League Stories from June 4, 2021
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- Bombers Knock off the Growlers and Secure First Victory of the Season - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Rox Win Home-Opener as Fans Are Welcomed Back to the Rock Pile - St. Cloud Rox
- Booyah Can't Hold on in Fond du Lac - Green Bay Rockers
- Woodchucks Homer Twice in Win - Wausau Woodchucks
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- Kingfish Reign Supreme, Snap Spitters Streak - Traverse City Pit Spitters
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- Rivets Fall in Rain-Soaked Series Finale at Traverse City - Rockford Rivets
- Honkers Drop Second Straight in Close Loss to Waterloo - Rochester Honkers
- MoonDogs Walk-Off Rox to Keep Undefeated Streak Alive - Mankato MoonDogs
- Larks Get Sweet Win in Bearscat Jerseys - Bismarck Larks
- Chinooks Scoreless After Three, Fall 9-6 - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Dock Spiders Bounce-Back with Win at Lakeshore - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Mallards Win Tight, Extra-Inning Contest in Wausau - Madison Mallards
- Booyah Fall to Rafters on the Road - Green Bay Rockers
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