MANKATO —
The woes the Mankato MoonDogs experienced over the second half of the Northwoods League baseball season were erased Wednesday at Franklin Rogers Park as the ’Dogs claimed the North Division title with a dominating 7-3 win over Willmar.
“We lost a lot of guys so even though we took some losses, we had the bigger picture in mind,” MoonDogs’ manager Mike Orchard said. “Our pitching was outstanding, and putting up those two three-spots (in the second and third innings) changes the dynamics of the game.”
Mankato (43-29) got a pair of nifty pitching performances from right-handers Davis Henderson and Kevin Corey. Henderson allowed one run on three hits while striking out six and walking three in 51⁄3 innings. Corey set down the first nine batters he faced before giving up two runs on two hits in the ninth.
“I’ve been up and down this year, and I’ll admit I didn’t get much sleep last night,” Henderson said. “I came into tonight more focused and zoned in. I knew my teammates were relying on me, just like I rely on them. It’s a give-and-take relationship.
“I was locating my fastball pretty well, and my curveball was very good. I wanted to go the whole game or until my arm fell off, but I felt confident handing the ball to Kevin.”
After each team stranded two runners in the first frame, Henderson worked a 1-2-3 second and the ’Dogs followed with a three-run burst in their second at-bat. Four infield singles — Craig Massoni, Chad Christensen, Danny Murphy and Kyle Turner — and Murphy’s steal of home when Turner got into an intentional run down accounted for the runs.
Mankato erupted for three more runs in the bottom of the third behind catcher Audie Afenir’s two-run rocket over the left-center field fence, a Stingers’ error and a pair of passed balls.
“I had two strikes on me so I was just trying to protect,” Afenir said. “He threw an up-and-in fastball, and I got the barrel through. I made solid contact, and it felt good.
“Our pitchers really spotted up, that was the big thing. They threw their off-speed pitches for strikes after establishing their fastball.”
Willmar (42-29) cut the deficit to 6-1 in the sixth when Forrestt Allday singled and Mitch Rowan belted a run-scoring triple to deep right-center field. However, Corey, who struck out four and walked two, got the final two outs to end the threat.
After Mankato tallied an unearned run in the eighth, the Stingers took advantage of a pair of walks to score twice in their final at-bat. Murphy, Turner and Massoni each had two hits, and Massoni scored twice.
“This was a great team win,” Massoni said. “We had a lot of guys leave throughout the season so this feels really good. We were more aggressive to the pitches we needed to hit, and unlike last night, we went up their with a plan. ... We saw pitches to hit, and we were all over them.”
Mankato now faces La Crosse in the best-of-three Summer Collegiate World Series, beginning with a 7:05 p.m. game today at Franklin Rogers Park. Games 2 and 3 would take place in La Crosse on Friday and Saturday.
Sports
Related Photos
-
Willmar pitcher Michael Hahn can only watch as Mankato MoonDogs' Craig Massoni scores from third on a wild pitch as catcher JD Dorgan scrambles for the ball during the third inning of their playoff game Wednesday at Franklin Rogers Park. Massoni's teammate Chad Christensen looks on. Pat Christman
-
Willmar's Hunter Dozier waits to tag out Mankato MoonDogs' Kyle Turner at second base during the second inning of their playoff game Wednesday at Franklin Rogers Park. The out was productive as the rundown allowed Chad Christensen to score from third base. Pat Christman
August 15, 2012
White Hot Heat! Heat vs. Pacers tonight
Cavaliers Use Day Off to Prepare for FSU
Nate Allen is looking for a bounce back season
Seabrook on Canucks series in 2011
Three and Out: Wheeler or Pineda
Cubs' Sveum on Jackson's struggles
Game 4: Blackhawks played against a "really smart team"
Game 4: Blackhawks' Seabrooks "deserved limited minutes"
Game 4: Blackhawks started, couldn't finish
Phil Jackson on leadership: 'You have to follow your intuitive nature'
Phil Jackson on Derrick Rose: 'We like him'
Phil Jackson on Michael Jordan vs. Kobe Bryant
Blackhawk Frolik on Game 5 vs. Detroit
Blackhawks' Seabrook on power play struggles
White Sox's Sale plans to pitch against Cubs
Importance of series vs Braves
Howard on Gordie Howe visit
Kindl nets first career playoff goal in win
Pacers putting Game 1 heartbreak behind them
Wade, LeBron ready for Pacers in Game 2
