MANKATO — After enjoying their final day off from a grueling Northwoods League season, the Mankato MoonDogs look to continue their second-half surge Tuesday with a road game at Minot.

Mankato has just a trio of home games remaining amongst the final 12 contests. The MoonDogs, winners of eight of their last 10 games, have an overall record of 29-30 but more importantly, a 14-9 mark in the second half of the Great Plains West Division.

St. Cloud, the winner of the first half, has a half-game lead over both the MoonDogs and the Badlands Big Sticks (15-12) ,with Willmar (15-12) 1.5 games back with 12 games remaining. If St. Cloud wins the second half, the team with the best overall record would advance to the playoffs. Badlands and Willmar, which won nine of 12 games with Mankato, are the two teams with a shot at that.

So Mankato’s ticket to the postseason must be punched with a divisional title. The MoonDogs have a favorable schedule the rest of the way with six games left against the Bismarck Larks, the team with the second-worst record in the league.

“We’ve had a great group of guys all the way through,” MoonDogs’ manager Danny Kneeland said. “We’ve had a newer crop the second half and energy has been there from the beginning. There’s been a lot of talent here and they’ve been focused all year. They come to the ball park every day with a great work ethic and a lot of energy. We had some young arms in the first half with some injuries to go along with that, too.

“We’ve had more experienced arms in the second half and they know what to expect to succeed. We’ve worked very hard to get to this spot so now we have to keep going out and having fun with it. There’s no extra pressure, we just want to come out and finish this thing off strong. We’ve made a ton of progress over the last month and now we’re just trying to put the cherry on the top and finish it off the right way. … Playing in meaningful games is why these guys are here.”

Mankato has gotten contributions from a variety of players this season, including catcher/second baseman Nico Libed (San Diego), catcher/DH Brandon Vlcko (Minnesota State) and second baseman Josey Williamson (Alabama). Libed is a high-octane senior-to-be who is hitting .330 with 18 runs scored and 13 RBIs.

“We went into the second half with a clean slate and now we’re reaping the rewards of it,” Libed said. “It has been awesome seeing all the guys come together and start hitting our stride. I am a very high-energy type of guy who likes to feed off my teammates which makes me a better player and person. I’ve loved my time here with the great crowds and the last two years have been a blast.”

Vlcko has been solid defensively for the ‘Dogs and the senior-to-be has garnished a .227 batting average with 18 runs scored and six RBIs.

“This has been a great experience for me, not only in getting a bunch of games in, but meeting a ton of people with all the turnover,” Vlcko said. “I’ve not only grown physically by facing such good competition but mentally to in learning how to grow from failure. You turn around quick so you have to make mental adjustments. All the travel is tough on the body so you have to keep the body healthy.

“We’ve got a group and it has been interesting to be here all summer and see our improvement. We’ve really been able to turn the page in the second half with this group and have taken advantage of the opportunities we’ve gotten. This is a competitive group and we’re all focused on winning each game.”

Williamson, a sophomore-to-be, has put up some solid numbers from his lead-off spot in the order, hitting .290 with 31 runs scored and 22 RBIs.

“It was kind of over half way through the first half and now it seems like we’re having a lot more fun,” Williamson said. “We’re enjoying each other and playing the game of baseball. We’re throwing more strikes and are trusting the defense which allows them to pitch more freely without the fear of making a mistake. Guys are starting to catch more barrels than in the past. … You just have to keep working and let it happen.”

Four other players — Adrian Beltre Jr. (.294, 31 runs 23RBI), Caleb Koskie (.271, 32 runs, 12 RBIs), Anthony Avalos (.279, 24 runs, 17 RBIs) and Connor Cuff (.276, 15 runs, 15 RBIs) — are also enjoying productive summers.