ROCHESTER, Minn. (August 13, 2012) – Monday marked the first day of the Northwoods League playoffs. Both games followed a similar storyline as both were back-and-forth games until the late innings.
Mankato MoonDogs 10, Willmar Stingers 5
Kyle Turner (Missouri Baptist) went 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored, including a home run. Both teams scored three runs in the fourth inning and the MoonDogs would take the lead for good in the top of the fifth inning.
Mankato added three in the eighth and one in the ninth to put the game out of reach. Starter Adam Mott (New Mexico State) got the win for the MoonDogs as he threw six innings, allowed four runs on seven hits and struck out four.
The MoonDogs can sweep the Stingers and advance to the Summer Collegiate World Series with a win on Tuesday. Game two will be in Mankato on Tuesday for a 7:05 p.m. start.
La Crosse Loggers 14, Wisconsin Woodchucks 6
The Woodchucks jumped out to an early thanks to Madison Carter (Grayson County CC) who hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the second, but the Loggers would come back with nine runs in the top of the ninth, including a Tyler Servais (Princeton) two-run home run.
Brandon Bednar (Florida Gulf Coast) went 3-for-6 with three RBI and two runs scored, including a home run. He also drove in the game-tying and eventual game-winning run in the top of the ninth inning.
The Loggers are now just one win away from the sweep and reaching the Summer Collegiate World Series. Game two will be in La Crosse on Tuesday with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.