The Badlands Big Sticks (12-9) came into Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Mankato MoonDogs (9-12) looking to get back in the win column after dropping their last two games to the MoonDogs, where they were outscored 29-10.

Badlands was able to respond winning 9-1 in the first game followed by a convincing 16-3 win in the second game. 

In the first game, it was starting pitcher Kasen McCawley (UNC Pembroke)on the mound for Badlands. The junior righthander from Haw River, NC, put in six innings of work, posting a 2.20 ERA, 1 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 3 BB. 

The MoonDogs responded with a run at the top of the second thanks to a sac fly RBI from Collin Jennings to even the game 1-1. 

On the diamond for the MoonDogs was Matthew Des Marets, who struggled only lasting two innings with a 9.00 ERA, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 K, 6 BB.

Troy Berg (Augustana University MN) would break the tie for the Big Sticks in the bottom of the fourth with a solo shot to right field to put Badlands ahead 2-1.

Badlands continued to pour things on in the home half of the 6th courtesy of a 2-run homer from Chayton Fischer (UT-RGV) putting the Big Sticks ahead 4-1. 

Fischer would leave his mark again blasting a grand slam in the very next inning to blow the game wide open for the Big Sticks 8-1. 

Badlands tallied anothe run in the home half of the 9th to take the win 9-1.

The second game was more of the same for Badlands starting things off strong with a Connor Massimini (East Texas Baptist University) RBI single and a wild pitch to give the Big Sticks the early 2-0 lead. 

Badlands spotted a four piece in the 2nd scoring from a Chayton Fischer (UT-RGV) RBI single, a Ryan Muizelaar (University of Jamestown) sacfly RBI and a Connnor Massimini (East Texas Baptist University) two run homer putting Badlands ahead 6-0. 

The story of the day for Badlands was how effective their lineup was producing at the plate with big time swings. 

Big Sticks added another couple runs in the bottom of the 3rd to take a 6-0 lead.

Mankato got on the board in the top of the 4th with a RBI single from Wills Maginnis to trail 6-1. 

Getting the call on the mound for Badlands was freshman Tyler Weimer (Arkansas State University) the right hander went for 6 IP, 3.86 ERA, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 2 BB.

For Mankato it was redshirt sophomore Ben Pernetti who lasted just two innings with 5.49 ERA, 7 H, 6 ER, 1 K, 1 BB. 

Badlands would go back to work in the bottom of the sixth with a 2-RBI triple from Ryker Schow (Brigham Young University) and a fielders choice to lead 11-1.

The Big Sticks continued to swing the bad hard in the bottom of the 7th spotting four runs to lead 15-1. 

Badlands added another run in the bottom of 8th to go in front 16-1.

The MoonDogs responded in the top of the 9th with two runs of their own but it wouldn’t be enough as the Big Sticks would win in convincing fashion 16-3. 

Badlands will now look to take down the MoonDogs one last time tonight before they host the Duluth Huskies for a series on Thursday and Friday. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. MDT at Dakota Community Bank & Trust BallPark.