In a game filled with a bevy of twists and unusual plays, a seven-run, sixth-inning burst Thursday afternoon carried the Badlands Big Sticks to a 9-8 Northwoods League win over the Mankato MoonDogs at ISG Field.
Game 2 of the scheduled doubleheader was postponed due to weather.
A daytime crowd of 1,485 witnessed 25 hits, 21 strikeouts, 16 base on balls, three hit batters and 23 runners left on base in a contest played amid a steady rain.
“It was kind of a weird game from the get go with all the rain and things that happened,” MoonDogs’ coach Danny Kneeland said. “We had some chances to capitalize early on and we just didn’t get the job done. We were able to get guys on base but we couldn’t come up with the big hit to expand the lead and obviously it will catch up to you.
“I love our guys. They’re a relentless bunch and are a good group of guys. They’re very talented and we’re just trying to find a way to get into a little bit of a rhythm. We’ve had some back luck on the mound with some injuries the last couple of days. Some of that stuff is out of your control so you have to use the resources you’ve got and give some guys a chance to step up and show what they’ve got.”
Mankato (11-10) scored a trio of runs in the bottom of the first behind singles from second baseman Ben Robichaux and center fielder Josh Alexander, along with first baseman Casey Sorg’s two-run blast over the right-field fence. MoonDogs’ starter Alex Thomas worked a 1-2-3 first frame before leaving the game an inning later with an injury after giving up an RBI single to Tyler Tobey.
After the Big Sticks (12-11) trimmed the deficit to 3-2 on Troy Berg’s RBI single in the third, Alexander’s run-scoring triple to deep center field and Sorg’s RBI ground-out put the ‘Dogs in front 5-2 after four innings. Mankato, which stranded 14 runners compared to the Big Sticks’ nine, then watched its lead disappear as Evan Appelwick’s bases-loaded triple to deep right-center field ignited a seven-run Badlands burst.
“There was a lot going on out there today,” Sorg said. “The rain was consistent the whole game, but you have to find a way to grind it out and win. We just needed to come up with the big hits to come out with the win.
“I’ve never been to Minnesota before, but I’ve got a great host family in the Wojciks and I am enjoying my time playing baseball. There are a lot of great players in this league and the competition is going to be good all summer so I am excited for what’s ahead.”
Shortstop Ryan Ward smacked an RBI double into the right-center field gap to pull Mankato within 9-6 before catcher Zach Crandall, who led the MoonDogs with three hits, laced a run-scoring single to make things 9-8 after seven innings. However, a nifty two-inning relief stint from 6-foot-7 right-hander Elias Hachem went for naught as the ‘Dogs were retired in order the rest of the way.
“It was pretty brutal out there so I tried to stay locked in,” Hachem, who was making his MoonDogs debut, said “I came in and put up zeroes to keep us in the game. I had confidence in my other pitchers besides my fastball, I’ve been working on my splitter as an out pitch. I am a big guy so I have to use that to my advantage. Most guys are antsy to hit a fastball so I need to keep them off balance.”
Alexander, Sorge and Wark ripped two hits each for the MoonDogs.