The Big Sticks faced off with the Western Nebraska Pioneers on Sunday for what would be their final matchup of the season as well as the rubber match of the series.

Starting on the mound for the Big Sticks would be Brady Salyards, appearing in his eleventh game but making his first start. Opposite of him, for the Pioneers, would be Randal Garza making his fifth start of the season but still searching for his first decision.

A couple of miscues in the bottom of the first inning allowed the first run of the game to come in as Eric Smelko scored to give the Pioneers the early 1-0 lead.

The Big Sticks were able to knot the game back up in the top of the third as Adam Senden was able to draw a walk with the bases-loaded to score Stafford from third. This would be all the scoring for the Big Sticks this game as, in accord with the entire series, this was a close, low-scoring game.

The Pioneers got the go-ahead runs in the bottom of the fourth as JT Waldon singled to drive in Cade McGee and later in the inning, Alex Zerfass scored on a wild pitch.

In the sixth inning, Jonathan Ponder was able to hit a well-placed ball into centerfield that allowed him to circle the bases with an inside-the-park home run and extend the Pioneer lead to 4-1.

Salyards was able to complete six innings to notch himself a quality start as he only allowed three earned runs while striking out six. Colin Smith took over in relief and tossed the final two innings scoreless as he struck out three along the way.

The Big Sticks were held in check by Garza and Candiotti as they threw five and three innings, respectively, and gave up no earned runs. Then, in the top of the ninth, Cade McGee came in from the third base to take over on the mound and was able to set the Sticks down, in order, to secure his fifth save on the season.

The Pioneers scored 4 runs on 9 hits with 4 errors, while the Big Sticks sored 1 run on 6 hits with 1 error. Each starting pitcher was tacked with the respective decision as Salyards goes to 2-2 and Garza gets his first decision to make him 1-0.

The Pioneers are now 6-2 this half with a 29-10 overall record and will head to Caldwell, ID for a three-game series with the Canyon County Spuds (13-27).

The Big Sticks fall to 5-4 on the second half and their overall record is now 22-17 as they head home to rebound with a two-game series with the Wheat City Whiskey Jacks (17-22). Game one at Dakota Community Bank & Trust Ballpark is set for 6:05 PM MDT on Monday, July 12.