SPEARFISH, SD - The Badlands Big Sticks fell short again in the second game of a three game series with Spearfish. Spearfish was able to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning to win the game by a score of 6-5.

After a scoreless first inning the Big Sticks scored the first run of the game in the top of the second inning thanks to a double by Gabe Knowles followed by an RBI single by Jaret Humphrey. Spearfish scored a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning with some help from a defensive error by the Big Sticks.

In the top of the third inning Ryan Walstad hit a lead-off single for the Big Sticks. Walstad was able to steal second base and then was driven in by Michael Fuhrman who singled up the middle to put the Big Sticks up 2-1. Spearfish would tie the game up in the bottom half of the inning off of a solo home run to left field.

The Big Sticks were able to take a 4-2 lead in the top of the fourth inning. Gabe Knowles lead off the inning with his second double of the game. Anthony Tulimero singled the next at bat and stole second to put runners at second and third. After back to back strikeouts Ryan Walstad delivered with a base hit up the middle to score two runs and put the Big Sticks on top.

In the bottom of the fifth inning Spearfish was able to cut the lead down to a run. They were able to score a run off of a wild pitch to make the score 4-3 in favor of the Big Sticks.

Spearfish was able to take the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. They plated two runs in the inning off of a RBI single and a wild pitch that allowed a second run to score. This would give Spearfish a 5-4 lead heading into the eighth inning.

In the top of the eighth inning the Big Sticks were able to tie the score up at 5-5. With runners on second and third Jaret Humphrey hit a deep fly ball to right centerfield to score Schwellenbach from third on a sacrifice fly. Spearfish responded in the bottom half with a broken bat single with two outs to score the game winning run. The Big Sticks had runners on first and second with one out in the final inning but the remaining two batters were struck out to end the game and give Spearfish a 6-5 victory.

The Big Sticks will look to bounce back Sunday afternoon when they take on Spearfish once again to finish out the three-game series. First pitch is set for 3:35 (MDT). 

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