Behind great pitching from starter Greg Bicknell, the St. Joe Blacksnakes beat the Lincoln Saltdogs 5-2 in game three of their four-game series at Haymarket Park on Sunday. Brett Cooley hit his 12th homerun in the bottom of the fourth, his fourth homerun in his last 11 games. The two teams complete their series Monday night at 7:05.

Lincoln took their only lead of the game, 1-0, in the bottom of the second on a bizzare play. With Josh Patton on third base, Jay Yaconetti on first, and one away, Joe Dempsey lifted a popup to shallow left field. Snakes' shortstop Casey Gordon faded into the outfield to make the play. Taking advantage of Gordon's momentum, which was moving toward the outfield, Patton tagged from third and scored on what was ruled a sacrifice fly to the shortstop.

Facing Lincoln starter Josh Kauten in the top of the third, Andy Wilson tied the game at one with an RBI single to left field. Dylan Parzyk's RBI groundout to Patton at second base gave the Blacksnakes a 2-1 lead. Cooley led off the home fourth and hit an opposite field line drive that just cleared the 342 mark in right-center field that tied the game. Cooley now has 12 homeruns and 57 RBI.

St. Joe took their second and final lead in the top of the fifth. With the bases loaded and one out, Dustin Yount hit a potential double play ball to shortstop Tony Garcia. The ball never came up, hit Garcia's foot, and then trickled into center field to score two runs. The Snakes scratched out another run in the ninth on an RBI single by Gordon.

Greg Bicknell retired the side in the ninth to pick up the complete game victory. He allowed just four baserunners over his final six innings of work.

Tomorrow, Nate Staggs will faceoff against the Snakes' Rick DeHart in the finale of the four-game series in Lincoln. The Dogs then close out their seven-game homestand with a three-game series with Sioux City beginning Tuesday night.