
Big Sticks Hampered by Walks in Loss against Mankato
Published on July 14, 2026 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Badlands Big Sticks News Release
DICKINSON, ND - The Badlands Big Sticks (22-22 overall, 4-6 second half) were suffocated by free passes and big innings, ultimately losing a one-sided affair to the Mankato MoonDogs (17-27 overall, 2-8 second half) on Monday night.
The Big Sticks were able to grab the early lead in the bottom of the 1st inning when Samson Pugh (Texas State) doubled into right field, scoring Crew Secrist (Texas A&M - Corpus Christi) to grab a 1-0 lead.
Mankato countered with five runs in the top of the 3rd inning, scoring two runs on two errors and grabbing the remaining three runs on singles by Liam Ebbs, Kyle Hvidsten, and Charlie Longmeier.
Badlands grabbed one back in the bottom of the 3rd inning when Pugh singled into right field, scoring Secrist for the second time and cutting into the lead 5-2.
Both teams tallied a run in the 4th inning, with the MoonDogs hitting a solo home run off the bat of Cole Clark to lead off the top of the 4th inning, then Badlands scoring on a single by Dakota Howard (Southeastern), putting the score at 6-3.
Ultimately, Mankato was the only team to score after the 4th inning, grabbing one run in the 6th inning on another solo home run from Clark, his second of the game.
The game exploded for Badlands in the top of the 7th inning, allowing four runs on walks and one run on a wild pitch. Mankato also grabbed three more runs in the 7th courtesy of a two-run single by Clark and a sacrifice fly by Evan Saunders to put the game at its final score line 15-3.
The Big Sticks will look to right the ship on Tuesday evening with a road contest in Bismarck against the rival Larks in the Railroad to Roosevelt rivalry series, with first pitch scheduled for 5:35 p.m. MST.
Northwoods League Stories from July 14, 2026
- Pit Spitters Capitalize on Five Rivets Errors in 10-7 Victory - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Woodchucks Reach 30 Wins on Summer with Victory over Madison - Wausau Woodchucks
- McMeekin's Complete Game Paves the Way for Victory over Bismarck - Badlands Big Sticks
- Alonso and Hamilton Homer, Madison Mallards Fall to Wausau Woodchucks - Madison Mallards
- Lakeshore Chinooks and Green Bay Rockers Series Opener Preview 7/14 - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Chinooks Secure Series Win over Wisconsin Rapids with 7-4 Victory - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Flying Mummies Back at McBride for Six Games, Begin Facing Leprechauns - Richmond Flying Mummies
- Rockers Open up Series with Chinooks - Green Bay Rockers
- Seven Pit Spitters Selected in 2026 MLB Draft, Setting Franchise Record - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Kingfish Capitalize on Early Miscues, Hand Mummies 13-2 Defeat - Richmond Flying Mummies
- Big Sticks Hampered by Walks in Loss against Mankato - Badlands Big Sticks
- Honkers' Bats Explode in 16-6 Win over Border Cats - Rochester Honkers
- Loggers Walk-Off Express 6-5 - La Crosse Loggers
- Huskies Bats Explode in Minot, Duluth Earns First Road Sweep - Duluth Huskies
- MoonDogs Win Big in Second Game of Series with Big Sticks - Mankato MoonDogs
- Rox Win 13-8 over Mud Puppies, Host Mankato Tuesday - St. Cloud Rox
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Badlands Big Sticks Stories
- Big Sticks Fail to Close, Suffer Walk-off Loss in Season Finale at Mankato
- Big Sticks Bullpen Implodes, Loses Control in Loss to Mankato
- Big Sticks Hold on against Willmar to Win Season Series
- Big Sticks Early Surge Not Enough against Willmar
- Big Sticks Playoff Hopes Quashed in Defeat to Willmar


