The Big Sticks were back at home on Thursday to celebrate Christmas and finish up the two-game set against the Souris Valley Sabre Dogs.

Starting on the mound for the Big Sticks, and making his fifth start on the year, was Michael Reddick. On the bump for the Sabre Dogs was Kyle Bratset, making his seventh start.

This game did not get off to an ideal start for the Big Sticks as, by the fifth inning, the Sabre Dogs had already taken the commanding 10-0 lead. Through this point, the Big Sticks had already used four pitchers, Reddick (2 IP), Reed (1.2 IP), Watkins (1 IP), and Slowik (.1 IP in the 5th).

The Big Sticks got runs back in the bottom of the fifth and the sixth both by way of a fielder’s choice, as Olive and Osborn each drove in runs.

These two runs were wiped away, in the top of the seventh, by the Sabre Dogs as they got a Steven Moretto two-run homerun to put the lead at 12-2. The Sabre Dogs continued to pile on runs in the top of the ninth against Derek Gellos, as they were able to extend their lead to 14-2.

The Big Sticks were able to get one run in the bottom of the ninth by way of another fielder’s choice, this one by Olive once again. The effort wasn’t enough as the Sticks fell, 14-3.

The Sabre Dogs scored in seven of the nine frames and got their 14 runs on 16 hits with 1 error, and the Big Sticks scored 3 runs on 9 hits and made 4 errors. Each respective starting pitcher was tacked with the decision, as Bratset goes to 3-1 and Reddick falls to 2-3.

Souris Valley improves their second half record to 9-5 and their overall record to 31-14. They head to Gehring, NE as they have a three-game series with the Western Nebraska Pioneers (30-12) starting on Friday.

The Sticks second half record is now below .500 as they fall to 6-7, as well as 23-20 on the season. They will remain at home as they gear up for their three-game series against the Canyon County Spuds (15-28). First pitch on Friday, July 16 is set for 6:05 PM MDT from Dakota Community Bank & Trust Ballpark.