GERING, NE - The Badlands Big Sticks faced off against the Western Nebraska Pioneers Thursday night for the first game of a two game set. After falling behind early the Big Sticks were able to come back to edge out the win 5-4.

The Big Sticks got on the board first by scoring a run in the top of the second inning. Mason Schwellenbach led off the inning with a single up the middle. After stealing second and causing the Pioneers to throw the ball into centerfield he was able to move up to third base. With two outs a balk by the pitcher allowed Schwellenbach to score from third and give the Big Sticks a one run lead. However, the Pioneers responded with two runs of their own. A two out single scored two runs and gave the Pioneers a 2-1 lead.

The Pioneers added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning by scoring two more runs. With runners on second and third the Pioneers double to centerfield to bring home two runs and give the Pioneers a 4-1 lead.

In the fifth inning the Big Sticks were able to cut into the Pioneers lead by scoring two runs. Nathan Sanders started off the inning with a walk followed by a single by Souza Paaluhi to put runners on first and second. A double by Michael Fuhrman would bring home both runners to trim the Pioneer’s lead to 4-3.

The Big Sticks were helped by a couple of defensive miscues by the Pioneers in the sixth inning that allowed two runners to reach base. Brayden Olsen would take advantage of them with a double down the left field line to score a run. A two out single by Sanders would bring home the second run of the inning to give the Big Sticks a 5-4 lead.

The Big Sticks were able to hold on for the final three innings by blanking the Pioneers and taking the game by a score of 5-4.

The Big Sticks will take on the Pioneers again Friday night before returning home. First pitch is set for 6:35 (MDT). 

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