The Badlands Big Sticks fell behind the 8-ball from the start of the game when Mankato struck for four runs in the top of the 1st inning including a 3-run homer to jump out to the early lead.

The Moondogs answered for five more runs in the top of the 4th inning including another home run to extend the lead 9-0. Mankato extended the lead for four more runs in the 5th, two more in the 8th, and one more in the 9th inning.

It was the 4th game this season that Mankato put up 13+ runs in a game. Badlands came fighting back in the 8th inning after being held scoreless through the first seven frames.

They trailed 15-0 heading into the bottom of the 8th and were able to muster up five runs in the 8th inning from RBI singles by Shane Miller (New Mexico) and Troy Berg (Augustana University) and sac fly from Ryan Muizelaar (Jamestown).

Big Sticks added four more in the bottom of the 9th sparked by RBI singles from Troy Berg again and Quade Peters (Eastern Illinois University) which showed the fight the team has heading into tomorrow with a little momentum.

Ethan Wendel (McMurry) started on the bump tonight and didn’t have his best stuff only going 3.2 IP allowing 9 runs. Kobe Krenz (Metro St Denver) went the next 1.1 IP allowing four runs and didn’t fare any better on the mound.

Calvin Baker Jr. (Albany St) was able to go 3 IP and allowed two runs that came in the 8th inning and Grant Wagner (University of Nebraska Omaha) allowed one run in the 9th inning. 

Badlands open up an eight game homestand with four straight games against the Mankato Moondogs with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 P.M. MST.