The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Sports

Related Photos

  • Mankato MoonDogs' Chase Simpson is congratulated by his teammates after scoring in the second inning Wednesday at Franklin Rogers Park. Pat Christman

    MoonDogs

August 8, 2012

MoonDogs snap five-game skid

Playoffs await

By Joe Tischler Special to The Free Press

MANKATO — On fan appreciation night, in front of a packed crowd of 1,687 fans, the Mankato MoonDogs did something they haven't done since July 12 at Franklin Rogers Park.

Win.

Andrew Coffman went 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs to help the MoonDogs break an eight game home losing streak and an overall five game losing skid. The result was a 10-5 victory over the Willmar Stingers on Wednesday night in Northwoods League baseball action.

Mankato got on the board in the bottom of the first with a pair of runs after Willmar scored in the top half of the frame without the benefit of a hit. Danny Murphy, Chase Simpson, and John Michael Twitchell all singled to lead off.

Craig Massoni hit a sacrifice fly to right scoring Murphy. Audie Afenir later hit an RBI grounder to short scoring Simpson.

Coffman led off the next inning for Mankato with a home run over the Pub500 sign in left field to start a three-run second. Simpson hit another single which was followed by a Twitchell double to left center.

Massoni singled Twitted home for the third run of the inning and a 5-2 Mankato lead. It's been a rough couple of weeks for the MoonDogs before tonight's victory. They were losers of 11 of their past 12 so it was nice to finally get a win in front of the home crowd before the playoffs begin.

"It feels good," said Coffman. "I've only been here a couple of weeks, but I've been struggling myself at the plate. It was nice to get a few hits in there and a home run. I feel everybody is starting to come together a lot more."

Mankato was held scoreless until the seventh before a two-out, three-run rally put the game out of reach. David Andriese started the rally with a single. Afenir followed with a base-on-balls.

Chad Christensen then hit a shot to Willmar first baseman Corben Green that went under his glove and between his legs allowing Andriese to score from second. Right fielder Mitch Rowan then threw wildly to home, allowing Afenir to score from second. Coffman's third hit of the night brought in Christensen for an 8-3 lead.

Simpson added a two-run home run to deep center in the eighth for a 10-3 MoonDogs advantage.

Kenny Roberts connected on for a two-run shot for to left Willmar to give the game its 10-5 final score.

Mankato wraps up the regular season with four on the road starting tonight with a two-game set in Willmar followed by two more at Waterloo on Saturday and Sunday.

The playoffs begin Monday at a site yet to be determined. They will host a game either Monday or Tuesday against the second half champion, which as of right now is Willmar.  



 

Text Only | Photo Reprints