ST. CLOUD — After driving in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th on Sunday, Adrian Beltre Jr. belted four hits and earned three RBIs in a 10-4 playoff win over the St. Cloud Rox on Tuesday night in St. Cloud.
Tony Lira had another big game, driving in two runs off two hits. Sam Stockman was solid on the mound, allowing three earned runs off four hits with three walks and five punchouts.
The win in Game 3 of the Great Plains Divisional round sends the MoonDogs to the Divisional championship round against the Duluth Huskies, who knocked off the La Crosse Loggers in their playoff opener. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. Wednesday in Duluth
The winner of Wednesday’s game between the Huskies and MoonDogs faces the Green Bay Rockers, who bested the Traverse City Pit Spitters on Tuesday, in the Summer Collegiate World Series on Thursday. The MoonDogs would play that potential championship game in Green Bay.
Mankato never trailed, claiming a 3-0 lead after two innings. The MoonDogs proceeded to add a run in the fourth, three runs in the sixth, two runs in the seventh and one run in the ninth.
Josey Williamson and Caleb Koskie each had multi-hit games.