Michael Brooks had two hits, including a home run and three RBIs and reliever Jake Schelonka earned his first win of the season as the Duluth Huskies powered past the Mankato MoonDogs 12-5 in Northwoods League baseball Wednesday before 1,456 at ISG Field in Mankato.
Duluth pitching has only allowed four hits the past two games as the Huskies moved closer to a NWL playoff berth with three games remaining in the regular season. Waterloo, which won the first half, downed Eau Claire 14-11 Wednesday, giving the Huskies (28-37) a two-game lead over Eau Claire and La Crosse (both 26-39) in the Great Plains East overall standings that will likely determine the final playoff spot with Waterloo closing in on the second-half title.
Schelonka, a late addition to the club this summer out of St. Scholastica, logged three scoreless innings, allowing only one hit while striking out two and walking one.
Mike Boeve added three hits and two RBIs for the Huskies while Carson Yates hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning to lead the MoonDogs.
The same teams rematch at 6:35 p.m. Thursday before the Huskies return home for a two-game series with Bismarck at 6:35 p.m. Friday and 3:05 p.m. Saturday to close out the regular season.
