By: Pat Mullen

Battle Creek, Mich.- The Waterloo Bucks were able to put an end to their six game losing streak by beating the Bombers, 9-3.

Much of the credit has to be given to starting pitcher Mario Leon. Leon went six innings, giving up one earned run with four strikeouts.

“We saw an opportunity to get all our lefties some work in tonight so that was our game plan,” Coach Trivett said.

He threw a bunch of left handed batters in the starting line-up, but they were no match for Leon as he was solid on the mound.

The starter for Battle Creek was a newcomer for the Bombers. Marcellus Sneed (Madison College) was just pitching in the Junior College World Series last week, but Coach Trivett threw him right into the line-up.

“I could sense I was getting into a flow,” Sneed said. “I started out a little wild at first but I mixed some things up a little bit and coach made the right decision (to take me out).”

Coach Trivett was impressed with Sneed, knowing he threw him into a tough situation.

“Marcellus threw real good,” the skipper said. “He threw 55 pitches so rather than throwing him back out there I wanted to take him out feeling good about himself.”

At the plate, Matt Dacey (Richmond) was able to bounce out of a mini slump as he had two doubles on the day.

Some controversy ensued in the bottom half of the 8^th as Justin Stawychny (UL-Monroe) was called safe as he ran into second base, almost colliding with the Buck’s second baseman, loading the bases up with two outs and down five runs.

The manager for Waterloo came out to argue and the umpire crew overturned the call, calling Stawychny out for base runner interference.

That was the last real threat by the Bombers, as they could not get anything going in the ninth.

Coach Trivett said after the game that the Bombers “Have to look at this as something to build on, not a negative.”

We (as a team) do not want to get too high or low, win or loss,” Coach Trivett added. “In the Northwoods League you have to have thick skin and short memories.”

Game Notes:

…The Bombers hope to bounce back tomorrow as they head on the road to Wausau, Wisconsin to face the Woodchucks. First pitch is 8:05 ET…

Marcellus Sneed: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

Matt Dacey: 2-3, 2 2B, 1 BB, 2 R

Joey Havrilak: 1-4, 1 R, RBI