The Big Sticks were back at home Monday evening to take on the Whiskey Jacks in game one of their two game set.

Adam Senden got the start on the mound and at the plate for the Big Sticks, as they opted to play without a designated hitter. Senden came into the game with a 1-2 record, and he was sporting a 7.18 ERA. On the mound for the Whiskey Jacks was Sam Marhefke. He started the game with a 2-3 record and had a 5.75 ERA.

After an uneventful first two innings, the scoring started in the third. Jake Hjelle blasted a three-run homer over the center field wall in the top of the inning to make it 3-0 Whiskey Jacks. In the bottom of the frame, the Big Sticks started their comeback. A wild pitch from Marhefke allowed a run to score to make it 3-1. Later in that at bat, Matt Olive hit an RBI single past the infield to bring in the second and final run of the inning for the Big Sticks.

Both offenses went down 1-2-3 in the fourth inning, yet again both were able to score in the fifth. Ethan Sitzman knocked an RBI single in the top of the frame to make it 4-2 Whiskey Jacks. In the bottom half of the inning, Joe Osborn walked up to the plate with a man on first and one out. He blasted a double over the left fielder's head that would allow the runner to score. Osborn needs to be on his A-game for The Sticks as they are dealing with a slew of injuries and absences. The outfielder has been nothing but consistent this year, leading the team in all sorts of categories including home runs, triples, and walks. The Sticks are going to rely on him for everyday offense if they want to win first place in the second half and make the playoffs.

At the end of the fifth inning the score was 4-3 Whiskey Jacks. In the Bottom of the sixth inning, The Big Sticks offense exploded. A couple of batters into the inning, Adam Senden stepped up to the plate with runners on the corners and one out. He was able to hit a single through the infield that brought in the runner from third and tied the game at four. Two at bats later, Anthony Garrett stepped up to the plate in his first Big Sticks game of 2021. He was able to hit a single that cleared the bases and brought the Big Sticks up 6-4. Joe Osborn was next to the plate, and he absolutely blasted a triple into the right center field gap, allowing Garrett to score. Next up was Ryan Stafford who made it three hits in a row for the Sticks as he hit a single over the infielders’ heads and brought in the final run of the inning. At the end of the sixth inning the Big Sticks were up 8-4.

The last runs of the game came in the eighth inning when Joe Osborn worked a walk, stole second, and got moved to third thanks to a sac fly from Ryan Stafford. Later in the next at bat, a wild pitch would allow him to score making it 9-4 Big Sticks.

In the top of the ninth the Sticks sent Senden back out on the mound to go for the complete game. However, he was only able to get one out as he loaded up the bases thanks to a couple of singles and a walk. Head Coach Billy Tomblin called Mason Hoover’s number to close out the game. Senden finished strong in this outing, going 8.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on nine hits, while walking two and striking out four. He also had two hits and an RBI at the plate that helped lead him to the win. Hoover came into the game and struck out the only two batters he faced allowing The Sticks to win game one 9-4.

Senden improved to 2-2 on the season and lowered his ERA to 6.23. Sam Marhefke took the loss for the Whiskey Jacks and lowered his record down to 2-3 and upped his ERA to 6.26.

The Big Sticks worked their way back up to first place in the Lewis Division for the second half of the season with a record of 6-4. They are only 0.5 games ahead of the Mining City Tommyknockers for that second half playoff spot. The Whiskey Jacks lowered their record to 3-7 for the second half of the season and have sole possession of last place in the Lewis Division.

Notable Performances:

Adam Senden: 8.1 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 4 K, W (Player of the game)

Also, Adam Senden: 2-4, RBI, R

Joe Osborn: 3-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 2B, 3B

Anthony Garrett: 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI

Be sure to catch the Big Sticks look for the two-game sweep against the Whiskey Jacks on Tuesday evening at Dakota Community Bank and Trust Ballpark. First pitch is at 6:05 MT.