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Aug 12, 2023

Big Sticks crush Sockeyes, secure 10

DICKINSON — The Badlands Big Sticks displayed fearless batting prowess on

DICKINSON — The Badlands Big Sticks displayed fearless batting prowess on Saturday, overpowering the Sawtooth Sockeyes' defense. Despite striking out nine times, their 11 hits played a crucial role in securing a resounding 10-4 victory at home, extending their winning streak to seven games.

Although they clinched the weekend series 2-1, Sunday's game marked their first home loss of the season.

Quade Peters led the Big Sticks with a remarkable hitting performance, earning the title of Player of the Game. Preston Jones followed suit with two hits, making him a multi-hitter as well. Four batters recorded doubles, including designated hitter Brant Kegal, who smashed a 2-RBI double in the bottom of the seventh, propelling the team to a commanding 6-1 lead.

"Everybody on our offense really had a good game today," Jordan Price, Big Sticks head coach, said. "We pinch hit a lot today and everybody came in and did what they were supposed to do and honestly it was a really good game for the whole team."

The Sockeyes took an early lead, scoring the first run in the top of the second inning.

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Unfortunately for the away team, their defense committed a few costly errors. The first came in the bottom of the third when a passed ball allowed the Big Sticks to score. In total, the Sockeyes had two errors in the field, resulting in additional runs for their opponents.

Dickinson State's Balas Buckmaster sealed the Big Sticks' victory with a sacrifice fly to center field, giving them the go-ahead run that propelled them to success.

In addition to Peters' pivotal hitting, he showcased small ball tactics and led the team with three stolen bases out of their total of six.

"We were trying to bunt a lot and I think the barrel in front of the catcher's face and being nighttime, didn't see the ball very well," Price said. "Yeah the free passes definitely helps and we were just trying to do everything we could to try and get runs across."

The tide began to turn when the Sockeyes' Hunter Christensen blasted a three-run homer to left field in the top of the eighth inning. Christensen's home run narrowed the deficit to 6-3 and ignited a challenge for the Big Sticks to maintain their dominance at the plate.

In the bottom of the frame, Alex Urlaub started with a lead-off home run. Every out in the inning came from a strikeout, but along with the home run, the Big Sticks also recorded two doubles and two walks, resulting in four runs.

With the bases loaded in the top of the ninth, the Sockeyes desperately fought for a late rally, but the final out came first. The Dickinson crowd stayed long after the victory, as the team signed autographs and auctioned off jerseys in support of the Dickinson Dinosaur Museum.

Badlands Big Sticks 10, Sawtooth Sockeyes 4x Sockeyes 010 000 030 — 4 - 6 - 2Big Sticks 002 200 24X — 10 - 11 - 3

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Hitting Sockeyes: He 1-3, 2B, 1BB, 1HBP, 2TB; Kerry 1-5, 1TB; Smith 1BB; Kleveno 1BB; Walker 2-4, HBP, 2TB, 2R; Christensen 1-2, 1HR, 3RBI, 4TB, 1R; Bidwell 1-2, 1RBI, 1TB. Big Sticks: Peters 3-4, 1RBI, 2B, HR, 1BB, 4TB, 3SB, 3R; Buckmaster 1RBI, 1SF; Rogers 1-4, 2B, 2TB, 1R; Kragel 1-5, 2RBI, 2B, 2TB; Hill 1-2, 1R; Jones 2-3, 1SB, 2TB, 1R; Urlaub 1-1, 1RBI, HR, 4TB, 1R; Lewis 1-3, 1RBI, SB, 1TB; Osborn 1-1, 2B, 2TB, 1R; Credeur 2BB, 2R.

PitchingSockeyes: Kanda 4IP, 5H, 4R, 3ER, 3BB, 4K, 76-47 P-S; Plutner 2.2IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, 1BB, 2K, 47-27 P-S; Robinson 01IP, 3-2 P-S; Schmittel 0IP, 3H, 4R, 4ER, 1BB, 21-12 P-S; Walsh 1IP, 1BB, 3K, 22-11 P-S. Big Sticks: Beekman 5IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 3BB, 3K, 95-55 P-S; Lundmark 2.2IP, 2H, 3R, 2ER, 1BB, 3K, 48-34 P-S; Watkins 1.1IP, 1H, 1BB, 1K, 22-14 P-S.

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