Mankato deals Honkers 3rd Straight Loss 12-2

The MoonDogs started the scoring early in the first with a 2-run home run by Jake Shepski his first of the year. They then extended that lead in the second with a grand slam by lead-off man Marcus Pingleton the MoonDogs centerfielder. The MoonDogs tacked on one more ona Jordan Kozicky sac fly to further their lead to 7-0.

Honkers starter Jackson Rose (L, 0-1) from Barton County Community College made it through the fourth inning unscathed but after giving up seven runs, five earned, on six hits his day was done.

Ethan Kenkel from South Dakota State followed Rose and gave up three unearned runs, due to errors by Honkers shortstop Keaton Weisz in the fifth and Honkers third baseman Houston Glad in the 6th, two of four errors on the day plus two dropped third strikes, in his two innings leaving the game with the Honkers behind 10-0.

On the other side, Mankato starter Ricky Digrugilliers (W, 1-0), out of Western Illinois, pitched 6 scoreless innings on only 74 pitches, giving up only 3 hits while striking out five.

Hunter Van Horn pitched the seventh for the Honkers and gave up two more runs both earned.

The Honkers got on the board in the 8th thanks to a 2-run double by designated hitter Alex Fitchett, but that was all she wrote for the Honkers offense as they went down quickly in the ninth at the ends of MoonDogs third baseman/pitcher Jake Shepski.

The Honkers hit the field again tomorrow night in Mankato with a 7:05 first pitch.