WATERLOO, Iowa – The Duluth Huskies (27-37, 11-18), were swept on the road at Waterloo (27-36, 13-16), losing the series finale 5-3. Devin Costa took the loss, but it was five Duluth errors that cost it the game.
Both Owen Marsolek and Brooks Masters were excellent in their starts. Marsolek threw six innings for the Huskies, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks, with the left side of the infield defense making a trio of errors behind him. He exited trailing 2-1 after six, because Masters got through 4.2 innings, allowing one hit (an infield single) and striking out six, although he walked six as well.
In the top of the seventh, Duluth rallied against George Jewell. Wyatt Pennington doubled to lead things off, new Duluth Husky Jacob Koerselman reached on an error (one of two by Waterloo) and Kayden Campbell walked to load the bases. The Huskies tied the game on a sacrifice fly by Reagan Reeder and took the lead on a Jewell balk.
Devin Costa, one of the best arms in the Duluth bullpen, came on for the seventh. Costa allowed a single and a sacrifice bunt to the first two hitters, putting a runner in scoring position with one out. From there, things unraveled. Pennington made his third error of the game to put runners on the corners. Duluth tried a trick play to counter the double steal, but it was ineffective and the Bucks tied the game. Costa then tried to pick off to second base, but was called for a balk. The call was argued by Duluth field manager Marcus Pointer, who had a Point and probably would’ve gotten the call overturned with instant replay. Instead, it put Larry Edwards on third with one out. After a hit by pitch and a steal of second, Caleb Parker broke the tie with a two run single up the middle to make it 5-3.
In the top of the ninth, Duluth loaded the bases with one out down two, but Brayden Smith rolled into a game-ending double play, stranding the two runners that would have tied the game in scoring position.
On Deck
Duluth begins a four game series against Eau Claire on Monday, with the lone home game in the set coming Tuesday. The Huskies then conclude their season at home next Friday and Saturday against the Thunder Bay Border Cats. Tickets for the final three Duluth games can be found online on the team website, and all Huskies action can be streamed on FloSports.