Ethan Bartlett continues to haunt Wagga Sloggers in the Regional Bash.
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Some power hitting from the former Wagga RSL all-rounder proved a punch too big to handle at Chisholm Oval on Sunday.
The Sloggers now have the odds stacked against them of returning to the Sydney Cricket Ground after suffering a seven-wicket loss to start the tournament.
The representative side started well, but ACT Aces overcame an early stumble to chase down the 141 needed for victory with 22 balls to spare.
Bartlett provided the late power hitting with his unbeaten 42 off 17 balls featuring one four and five sixes.
He and Nicholas Broes (57 not out) helped the Aces recover from 2-19 early in their innings.
Sloggers captain Joel Robinson was impressed with the batting on display.
"Probably another 20 (runs) would have been nice but they were pretty good," Robinson said.
"They set up well and were able to hit the ball later on.
"A couple of good innings from them was the difference at the end."
Blake Harper provided a real highlight for the Sloggers as he top scored with 49.
The South Wagga young gun put on 63 with Beck Frostick (33) before being run out one run short of his milestone.
Robinson continues to be impressed with his development.
"Blake batted really well and has come so far," he said.
"He didn't play two years ago but from before he had a break and even from last year to this year it's really good to see just how much he is improving each time he bats and bowls.
"If he keeps improving at the rate he is at the moment it is pretty exciting."
The Sloggers now need to win their final two matches in Canberra next weekend and hope results go their way to progress to the next stage.
"We always knew it was going to be a bit of a challenge against ACT, they are semi-professional, but we'll come back next week looking for two wins and we'll see what happens," Robinson said.
They face Border Bullets and Murrumbidgee Rangers on November 3 after the Bullets scored a six-wicket win on Sunday.
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