MoonDogs 'ruffed' up by Alexandria

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Mankato MoonDogs' Blair Moore is tagged out by Alexandria's Josh Carpenter during their game Tuesday at Franklin Rogers Park. Pat Christman
MoonDogs' right fielder Craig Massoni lunges for a ball during their game against Alexandria Tuesday. Pat Christman

June 12, 2012

MoonDogs 'ruffed' up by Alexandria

By Denny Weller Special to The Free Press The Mankato Free Press Tue Jun 12, 2012, 11:40 PM CDT

MANKATO — Things unraveled early Tuesday night for the Mankato MoonDogs as last-place Alexandria notched a 10-2 Northwoods League baseball victory in front of 1,356 fans and 89 dogs at Franklin Rogers Park.

Alexandria jumped on MoonDogs starter Ty Taylor (Oklahoma) for four runs in the top of the first and never looked back. Second baseman Tanner Vavra led the Beetles (4-9) with three hits while Johnny Tolson, Jared Musgrave and Dylan Raper each collected a pair of hits.

“The guys just weren’t ready to play tonight,” Mankato manager Mike Orchard said. “We made a big error, and then we had two guys thrown out on the bases down 4-0 in the first inning. You have to be locked in mentally and ready to go. ... We weren’t mentally able to go tonight.”

On a night in which fans got in free if they brought their dogs to the ballpark, Alexandria smacked three hits in the opening frame off Taylor, who entered the game 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA. Ben Moore’s run-scoring double got things going before Jimmy Pickens belted a two-run double to deep left-center field. Tolson’s rocket over the left-field fence Raper’s double put the Beetles in front 6-0 after two innings.

After the Beetles added an unearned run in the fourth, Mankato scored is only runs of the contest an inning later when second baseman Drew Stankiewicz (Arizona State) laced a two-run double to deep center field to score Cody Ferrell and Garrett Fischer. Ferrell doubled to get things going.

Beetles’ starter Michael Reed (LSU) allowed four hits over six innings to pick up the win. Scott Sanderson worked a scoreless seventh before Andrew Busby closed things out by retiring six of the final MoonDogs’ hitters. Fischer, a New Ulm native and current St. Cloud State Husky, was the lone MoonDog with two hits.

“Being here has been a great experience for me,” said Fischer, who is playing on a temporary contract. “You’re around guys who love playing the game as much as you do. I am grateful for having the opportunity. It’s been a great start for us.

“Our starting pitching has given us a chance and our bats have been on fire. We’re not happy with the loss and we’ll come back tomorrow and make up for it.”

Mankato’s Matt Marsh (Central Florida) turned in a solid performance over the final 21⁄3 innings, striking our four while walking none and giving up no hits.

“Garrett is a good kid and he works hard,” Orchard said. “I’ve enjoyed having him here and a lot of our early season success is due to our quality temps. Sometimes people just put in bodies, but we’ve been fortunate to bring in quality temporary players.”

Mankato (10-4) closes out a three-game series with the Beetles today with a 7:05 first pitch at Franklin Rogers Park.

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