The Badlands Big Sticks (3-3) were unable to crack the St. Cloud Rox (6-0), losing 4-3 and 16-0.

The Big Sticks had a slow start on Friday night, giving up three runs in the opening inning, but were able to respond in the top of the second with a run to trail 3-1. 

Pitching was strong for both teams throughout the night, with Rox’s starting pitcher Hunter Day logging 9 H, 3 R, 3.86 ERA, 2 BB, and 4 K’s through 7 IP. For Badlands, it was starting pitcher Nikau Heeney (Skyline (CA) CC), who also cast seven innings of work, posting 4 H, 4 R, 5.14 ERA, 3 BB, and 0 K’s.

The Big Sticks would next strike in the top of the sixth with an RBI double from first-baseman Ryan Muizelaar (University of Jamestown), that would bring in Jayden Sanchez (UNLV) to score with the Big Sticks down 3-2. 

Badlands would add another run in the top of the seventh thanks to outfielder Connor Massimini (East Texas Baptist University), tallying an RBI single with the Big Sticks tying the game 3-3.

The game wouldn’t stay tied long with Rox’s Austin Haley driving in a run with a sac-fly RBI as St. Cloud would hold on and close out the game, winning 4-3.

The Big Sticks didn’t have trouble making contact, generating ten hits in the game while the Rox’s only managed four. The trouble for Badlands was leaving runners stranded on base and not being able to capitalize on scoring opportunities 

The Badlands Big Sticks in game two lost by their biggest margin of defeat with a final score of 16-0.

The Big Sticks gave the ball to the opening day starter, southpaw Tanner Folds (Shorter University), who pitched a gem on opening night, going seven innings and only allowed 2 ER. But this time, it was a rough outing for the Big Sticks’ lefty who didn’t get much help behind him defensively.

The Big Sticks committed four errors in the game, and Folds allowed six runs, with just three being earned. He logged five innings, three strikeouts, nine hits allowed, and no walks.

The St Cloud Rox starting pitcher, Jake Burchman, was sensational with six scoreless innings, six strikeouts, four walks, and just two hits allowed. 

The Big Sticks’ bats were quiet all night, only contributing three hits in the ball game, which is the least amount in a game this season. It was also the first time the Big Sticks have been shutout this summer.

11 total strikeouts tonight for the St Cloud pitching staff, and the Big Sticks had just three on the night. St Cloud continued to be the only team in the Northwoods League staying undefeated at 6-0.

Muizelaar had two out of the three hits for the Big Sticks, and Massamini had the other. For St Cloud, a big day at the plate from Grant Sommers, who went 2-2, Tanner Recchio went 3-3 with an RBI, Austin Haley 2-4, 2B, and 5 RBIs, and Ethan Gibson going 3-5, HR, and 3 RBIs.

The St Cloud Rox scored one run in the bottom of the 2nd inning. They fired on all cylinders in innings 5-7 with five runs in each inning, capping off their 16 runs total.

The Big Sticks are 2-2 on this eight game road trip, which is their longest of the season. They will face the Eau Claire Express for two games before facing a divisional rival again in the Willmar Stingers for the final two games of the road trip.

Badlands are 3-3 on the season, and will look to get all three phases of offence, defence, and pitching back on track.