The MoonDogs come out of the blocks barking in the first match of the Big Sticks series

July 20, 2024 – Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Mankato MoonDogs Press Release

The MoonDogs take on the Big Sticks with great enthusiasm and win 22-9!

Rylen Bayne (University of Hawaii) started for the MoonDogs on the mound. Bayne threw 6 innings, 90 pitches and struck out 5 batters!

The MoonDogs couldn’t wait to get started as they started scoring right away in the first inning of work! Zach Stroh (Minnesota State University-Mankato) would put the MoonDogs on the board after coming in to touch home plate. Matthew Fleischhacker (Minnesota State University-Mankato) would add to the score by hitting home on an error (E5). With Ty Rumsey (University of Evansville) batting, Brody Delamielleure (Flordia State University) would score on a passed ball. Rumsey would single, scoring Jake Duer (Texas Christian University) and Connor Bain (Drury University), and then Rumsey would be eliminated upon his promotion to 2nd place.

The Big Sticks fought back to get on the scoreboard, scoring two points.

The MoonDogs wouldn’t stop there as they would add another run in the second inning! Ben Robichaux (University of Louisana at Lafayette) would single to reach base. Robichaux would move around the bases on a passed ball and a wild pitch, putting him at third base. Stroh would hit a putout, allowing Robichaux to score!

The third inning was similar to the first 2, with the MoonDogs extending their lead! Bain would lead off the inning with a homerun! Following Bain’s homerun, Cooper Neville (Grand Canyon University) would single and reach. Rumsey would follow with another homerun for the MoonDogs, scoring Neville along the way!

The MoonDogs would score 2 more runs in the fourth! Delamielleure would start the runs for the inning by scoring off a fielder’s choice. Gabe Miranda (Texas Christian University) would also add a run for the MoonDogs on a Rumsey sac fly.

The Big Sticks added 1 point to their score.

Let’s repeat the top of the fourth for the MoonDogs and add 2 more in the fifth! Stroh would score from a Delamielleure put out. Fleischhacker would also tally a run from a Duer RBI single!

The MoonDogs would record their first scoreless inning of the game, but came out on top in the seventh inning! Miranda would score on a fielder’s choice. Then Robichaux singled, scoring Bain! Another error (E5) brought in Rumsey to further extend the MoonDogs lead. But that wasn’t all. The bases were loaded and Delamielleure hit a grand slam! Delamielleure’s grand slam would bring in Robichaux, Stroh and Fleischhacker!

Aiden McGee (Minnesota State University- Mankato) would replace Bayne on the mound. McGee would go 2 innings pitched, throwing 19 pitches and striking out 1!

The ninth inning started with a homerun by Stroh! Miranda reached on an error, sending Fleischhacker home!

Nick Hentges (Gustavus Adolphus College) will be the second relief arm. Hentges would record 0.2 innings pitched, 43 pitches and 1 strikeout.

Bryce Crabb (University of Northwestern-St. Paul) would be the final arm for the MoonDogs. He would pitch 0.1 innings and log 4 pitches.

The Big Sticks scored 6 runs in the ninth inning.

The MoonDogs would go on to win the first game of the series against the Big Sticks, 22-9! They will be back in action tomorrow for the second game of the series, at 5:35 PM.

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