BROOKINGS — The Brookings Cubs improved to 9-2 on the season as they beat the Sioux Falls Squirrels 18-8 on Monday night at Bob Shelden Field.

Brookings had 23 hits and used a six-run seventh inning to pull away from the Flying Squirrels.

The Cubs broke a 0-0 tie with three runs in the third inning. Henry Hammrich hit a one-out double and then scored on a Rhett Zelinsky single. Zelinsky then came home on an error and Myles Rees hit Colin Gibson home with a single to make it 3-0.

Sioux Falls answered with five runs in the top of the fourth. The first run came from a single and then a sacrifice fly made it 3-2. Two runs then came home on an error and another RBI single made it 5-3.

Brookings got one run back in the bottom of the inning. Justin Cofell and Jake Ammann led off the half inning with back-to-back singles. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners and then a walk to Hammrich loaded the bases up. Zelinsky then hit Cofell home with a single but that was the only run the Cubs were able to score in the fourth.

The Cubs regained the lead with four runs in the fifth. Cofell reached on an error and then he scored on an Ammann single to tie the game. Nolan Miles then hit a single to put two runners on and Hammrich launched one over the center field fence to make it 8-5.

Sioux Falls tied the game in the top of the sixth. The first run came from an error and then a fielder’s choice brought home another run. An RBI double made it 8-8 heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Cofell and Ammann hit back-to-back singles with two outs in the bottom of the inning. Cofell scored on a Miles single and Ammann came home on a Hammrich single to make it 10-8.

Gibson reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the seventh and then scored on a single from Parker Winghart. Rees hit a single and then Winghart scored on an error. Rees came home on a Miles single and then an RBI single from Hammrich made it 14-8. Zelinsky came to the plate with two runners on and hit both home with a single to make it 16-8 heading into the eighth.

Brookings ended the game with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Winghart walked to lead off the inning. Arlen Peters and Cofell were each hit by a pitch to load the bases up. Winghart scored on a fielder’s choice and Cofell scored on an error to end the game due to the 10-run rule.

Hammrich was 5-for-5 with five RBIs and Zelinsky was 3-for-5 with four RBIs. Miles was 4-for-5 with two RBIs and Ammann was 3-for-6 with two RBIs. Winghart was 2-for-5 with an RBI and Rees was 2-for-6 with an RBI. Gibson and Cofell were each 2-for-5.

Hammrich pitched the first four innings and gave up five runs, two earned, on two hits with four strikeouts and six walks. Winghart pitched two innings and gave up three runs, two earned, on two hits with one strikeout and on walk. Rees pitched the final two innings and gave up three hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

Brookings hosts the Rener Monarchs on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.