MoonDogs gain split with Lunkers

Even though the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers outhit the Mankato MoonDogs, they allowed six runs from the fourth through the sixth inning and fell 6-1 in Game Two of their weekend series Sunday afternoon at Mills Field.

Like the night before, the contest began as a pitchers' duel. However, the Lunkers didn't wait long to get their only run of the ballgame.

With Zack Stewart (Ohio Dominican) at first, Stephen Wickens (Florida Gulf Coast) tripled down the right-field line to put the Lunkers up 1-0.

The lead didn't last long. In the top of the fourth, Mankato answered as seven MoonDogs went to the plate, three scored, and a pair of extra-base hits fueled the outburst.

One inning later, the MoonDogs expanded their lead, scoring on a passed ball.

In the sixth, Mankato sent eight batters to the plate and added two runs to finish off the Lunkers.

The Lunkers hit into three double plays and three Brainerd errors aided the MoonDogs.

Brainerd starter Mike Gedman (UMass) went four innings, allowed four runs on three hits, walked five, and struck out three. Four Lunkers pitchers combined to issue nine walks.

Stephen Wickens (Florida Gulf Coast) accounted for two of the Lunkers' seven hits. He finished 2-for-4 with the RBI triple and single.

The Lunkers finished their regular-season series with Mankato with a 4-4 mark. The loss dropped the Lunkers to 26-27 overall, 10-10 in the second half.

With 15 games remaining, Brainerd heads to Wausau to meet the Wisconsin Woodchucks at 6:35 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

Mankato 000 312 000 - 6 4 2

Brainerd 001 000 000 - 1 7 3

Mankato: Jacob Petricka, Kevin Belk (9) and Xorge Carillo.

Brainerd: Michael Gedman, Korie Walkley (5), Luke Rasmussen (6), Mats Mattson (8) and Nate Hammes.

W: Petricka (2-2). L: Gedman (3-3).

2B: M-Ryan Durant.

3B: M-Carrillo, Brd-Stephen Wickens.

RBIs: M-KC Serna, Cody Fick, Brenden Webb, Durant, Carrillo, Brd-Wickens.

SF: M-Serna.

SB: M-Serna.

LOB: Mankato 11, Brainerd 6

T: 2:26.

Saturday's game

Brainerd 1, Mankato 0

Michael Kvasnicka's single with one out and runners at first and second in the 10th inning gave the Lunkers a 1-0 win Saturday night.

For nine innings, the game was a duel between Mankato starter Bennett Whitmore (Oregon) and Lunkers ace Dennis O'Grady (Duke). O'Grady allowed just three hits in seven innings, walked only two, struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 0.87.

The first Lunkers' hit didn't come until the fourth. Kvasnicka (Minnesota) did the honors with his infield hit, but was stranded at first.

In the fifth, the Lunkers had their first scoring threat. Will Piwnica-Worms (Duke) was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. He made it to third but was stranded.

In the seventh, the Lunkers had runners on second and third with one out but weren't able to score. A similar situation sank the offense an inning later.

After going down in order in the ninth, Zack Stewart (Ohio Dominican) picked up his only hit of the night in the 10th. He moved to second after Wickens walked. That set up the second extra-inning walk-off single for Kvasnicka this season.

Kvasnicka led the Lunkers with his 2-for-4 night. Mike Frongello (Davidson) worked three scoreless innings in relief and picked up his second win.

Mankato 000 000 000 0 - 0 5 0

Brainerd 000 000 000 1 - 1 5 2

Mankato: Bennett Whitmore, Jimmy Patterson (8) and Kyle Knudson.

Brainerd: Dennis O'Grady, Mike Frongello (8) and Hunter Nolen.

W: Frongello (2-3). L: Patterson (1-1).

2B: M-Brenden Webb 2.

RBIs: Brd-Michael Kvasnicka.

LOB: Mankato 7, Brd 9

T: 2:47.

A: 408.