After a weeklong road trip, The Big Sticks were back at home to take on the Souris Valley Sabre Dogs in game one of a three game set.

Starting on the bump for the Sticks was Pat Miner, who came into the game with a 1-1 record and a 3.20 ERA. He was matched up against Eric Wallington who came in 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA.

After a pitcher’s duel for the first three innings of the game, the Sabre Dogs got the first run on the board thanks to a two out double by Steven Moretto in the top of the fourth. The very next inning Cadyn Schwabe hit a sacrifice fly to center field to make it 2-0 Souris Valley. 

In the bottom of the fifth, the Sticks got their first hit of the game thanks to a leadoff solo home run off the bat of Matt Olive. With the Sticks down 2-1 and only one hit on the board heading into the sixth, there was some work to do in order to beat their in-state rivals.

Luckily, that work would get done in the bottom of the sixth. After a leadoff single by Alex Thurston, Derek Gellos would get on base thanks to a throwing error by the Sabre Dogs second baseman. Two batters later, Carson Lundmark would step up to the plate with two on and one out. He drove a single up the middle of the infield to bring in Thurston and tie the game at two.

A couple of batters later, Travis Ray Junior was up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. He stepped up in arguably the biggest moment of the game. He drove a single to the outfield that brought in two runs, making it 4-2 Big Sticks.

Miner was relieved in the top of the seventh by Brady Salyards. Miner had yet another good outing for the Big Sticks. He threw six innings, allowing two runs on four hits while giving up two walks and striking out five.

That productive offense continued their hot stretch in the bottom of the seventh inning. Joe Osborn led the inning off with a double. Two batters later, Derek Gellos smacked a single to drive in Osborn and make it 5-2 Sticks. Ryan Stafford made it back-to-back hits as he hit a double and advanced Gellos to third. Lundmark then came back to the plate and hit a sac fly to make it 6-2 Big Sticks.

Even though they now had a four-run lead, the Big Sticks weren’t done scoring yet. Matt Olive hit a leadoff single in the eighth to get the inning going. A couple of at bats later, Wyatt Setian hit an absolute bomb to left field making it 8-2 Big Sticks. Joe Osborn stepped up to the plate the very next at bat and hit another home run for the Big Sticks. After the back-to-back shots, the Big Sticks were up 9-2 and called it a night.

Salyards finished the game on the mound for the Sticks to secure the save. He threw three innings, giving up only one hit and struck out two.

Notable Performances:

Pat Miner: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO, W

Matt Olive: 2-3, HR, RBI, 2 R (Player of the game)

Joe Osborn: 2-4, HR, 2B, 2 R, RBI

Carson Lundmark: 1-3, 2 RBI, 1R

Travis Ray Jr: 1-4, 2RBI

Wyatt Setian: 1-3, 2RBI, R, BB

Be sure to catch the Big Sticks look for the series win against the Sabre Dogs on Wednesday, July 7th at Dakota Community Bank and Trust Ballpark in Dickinson, ND. First pitch is at 6:05 MT on The Mix 105.7 FM.