The Bucks conclude their four-game series vs. Mankato on Sunday afternoon.

Box Score: http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=317068

By: Jared Shlensky

WATERLOO, Iowa – Waterloo dropped its third straight game on Saturday as the Bucks fell to the Mankato Moondogs, 6-1, on Saturday night. Reece Eddins took a no-hitter into the fifth and allowed just two Waterloo baserunners to reach third base in his seven innings.

After having to come from behind in the first two games of this series, Mankato scored first with a solo home run from Jordan Washam to begin the second.

Mankato (10-5, 32-18) doubled their lead with a two-out home run from Chase Hamilton in the top of the fifth. Hamilton’s home run was his eighth of the year, putting him just one behind Jake Shepski for the team lead.

The Moondogs increased their lead to 5-0 with three runs (two unearned) in the top of the eighth. Alvaro Rubalcaba walked to begin the inning before Drew Fearing advanced him to second with a sacrifice bunt. Shepski was then intentionally walked before David Metzgar was hit in the back. Chase Hamilton then reached on a Waterloo fielding error, bringing around both Rubalcaba and Fearing. Jordan Washman followed with an infield single, however, a throwing error on the played allowed Metzgar to score from second for the final run of the inning.

Mankato tacked on one more run in the top of the ninth to go up 6-0. Gavin Wehby led off the inning with a walk before Fearing moved him to third with a single to center. Two batters later, Metzgar brought in Wehby with an RBI infield single.

Waterloo (6-9, 28-22) ended a 14 1/3 scoreless inning drought with a run in the bottom of the ninth. Zach Weatherford began the inning with an infield single before going from first to third on a wild pitch. Adam McGinnis drove in the only Bucks run of the night with an RBI single to right.

Despite allowing a season-high 11 hits, Steven Baker (1-4) recorded his second longest start of the year at 5 2/3 innings. Baker yielded at least one hit in every inning but only gave up two runs while striking out three and walking three in the loss.

Reece Eddins (4-2) earned the win, yielding just two hits and four walks in a season-high seven innings. The right-hander added three strikeouts and faced the minimum through the first four innings. ​

The Bucks conclude their four-game series vs. Mankato on Sunday in Waterloo. First pitch from Riverfront Stadium is at 7:05 p.m. with All-Star RHP Jared Crescentini (4-1, 3.28) opposing Mankato LHP Dalton Lehnen (3-2, 4.40).

Tomorrow’s game is a Kids Eat Free Sunday and a Youth Home Run Derby. Kids 12 and under receive a free hot dog, soda and popcorn and can participate in the Youth Home Run Derby that will take place on the field after the game.

All Waterloo Bucks games can be heard online at waterloobucks.com with Jared Shlensky.