The Big Sticks traveled to Grand Forks, ND for a split doubleheader on Thursday against the Wheat City Whiskey Jacks.

GAME ONE

Starting on the mound for the Big Sticks, and coming off his all-star appearance, was league strikeout leader Josh Tucker. Opposite of him, and starting for the Whiskey Jacks, was Gene Aberoutte.

The Big Sticks bats were loud to start the game as the second batter of the contest, Ryan Stafford, drove in Joe Osborn with a double for the quick 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Wyatt Setian cracked a bases-loaded single to score two runs, and finally Eric Martinez crossed home on an error to extend the lead to 4-0.

The Sticks were back again in the top of the second, as Angel De La Cruz and Eric Martinez stroked back-to-back run scoring singles before De La Cruz came around to score on an Austin Bunn walk and put them up 7-0.

The Whiskey Jacks were able to respond with one run in the second, and two more in the third on a Nolan Lingley triple.

After the third, Josh Tucker handed the ball over to Adam Senden, who was able to go the next three innings only allowing one run on two hits.

Up 7-4 in the top of the seventh, the Sticks were able to add four runs of insurance spearheaded by Wyatt Setian driving in his third and fourth runs on his fourth hit of the ballgame.

Daniel Rivera took over for Senden in the bottom of the seventh, up 11-4, and was able to work around two walks to shut down the Whiskey Jacks in game one.

The Big Sticks scored 11 runs on 14 hits with no errors, and the Whiskey Jacks got 4 runs on 6 hits and committed 3 errors.

GAME TWO

In game number two on the night, the Big Sticks were able to send another all-star to the mound in the form of Parker Stohr. The Whiskey Jacks sent Matthew Dalquist out to the mound to make his first start of the season.

In this game, it was the Whiskey Jacks who were able to strike first with a three-run first inning. Houston Fogelstrom drove in two on a base-loaded single and Jaxon Sorenson came around to score on an error.

The Whiskey Jacks went up 4-0 in the bottom of the third as Houston Fogelstrom drove in his third RBI of the game with another single to score McDowell.

The Big Sticks began their rally attempt in the top of the sixth when Angel De La Cruz doubled to drive in Derek Gellos and trim the lead to 4-1.

Then, in the top of the seventh, Wyatt Setian doubled to leadoff the inning and came around to score on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 4-2. The Sticks where then able to get runners on second and third, but could not tie the game as Dylan Kuester shut them down to secure the save.

Parker Stohr was able to settle in and get the unusual six-inning complete game along with a quality start as he allowed only three earned.

The Sticks got their 2 runs on 5 hits and made 2 errors, and the Whiskey Jacks scored 4 runs on 8 hits with no errors.

With the split on the day, the Big Sticks record in the second half is now 9-9 and they are 26-22 overall. The Whiskey Jacks second half record in now 7-11 and they are 21-27 overall.

The Big Sticks will stay in Grand Forks as they have one more game on the road against the Whiskey Jacks. First pitch set for 6:05 PM MDT.