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  • Adam Mott pitched in his first game for the Mankato MoonDogs Thursday. He allowed one hit and no runs in four innings of work before rain halted the game. Pat Christman

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June 14, 2012

Newest MoonDogs is adjusting to new home

New Mexico State’s Mott settles in for Mankato

By Chad Courrier Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — Last weekend, Adam Mott was the starting pitcher for New Mexico State in an NCAA regional baseball game, basking in the media attention that goes with a nationally televised event.

On Thursday, he was the Mankato MoonDogs’ starting pitcher, with quite a little less fanfare.

“It’s something I’ll never forget,” Mott said, having just arrived in Mankato on Thursday. You always dream about pitching on the big stage. The regional isn’t the biggest stage for college baseball, but it was something special.”

Mott worked four impressive innings for the ’Dogs Thursday before the game with the St. Cloud Rox was rained out.

He allowed just one hit and no runs.

The game will be resumed at 6 p.m. today in the bottom of the fourth. Another seven-inning game with the Rox will follow.

MoonDogs manager Mike Orchard is hoping that Mott can bring some stability to the rotation, mixing his upper-80s fastball with a slider and changeup.

“He should be a front-end of the rotation guy, and hopefully, he gives us a boost,” Orchard said. “Pitching is the most important part of the game, and our starting rotation has just been OK. The bullpen has been pretty good, but we need to get more out of our starters.”

The team earned-run average is 3.92, which ranks sixth in the 16-team Northwoods League. In 1332⁄3 innings, heading into Thursday’s game, the staff had allowed 131 hits and 62 walks.

However, the most successful starter, Matt McDaniel, was on a temporary contract and has already left the team.

“If (Mott) is good enough to pitch in a regional, he’s good enough to pitch for us,” Orchard said.

Mott, who is 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, said he was disappointed that he wasn’t drafted earlier this month, even though some scouts told him he might get picked late. He was 6-3 with a 4.80 ERA, with 97 strikeouts in 97 innings.

“I’m not really a power guy,” Mott said. “What I can do is throw three pitches for strikes at any time. If a guy thinks he’s going to get a fastball, he’s probably going to get something else.”

This is Mott’s first experience with summer ball in a league such as this, and he’s hoping that he gets a little exposure over the next two months.

He said his arm feels good, and he’s ready to contribute.

“This is a good spot for me,” he said. “I’ve had a good spring, and hopefully I can continue that into the summer.”

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