Facing an early four-run deficit, the Bucks settled in on the mound as well as in the batters box. Waterloo proved that when their pitching isn’t up to par, their bats can get the job done. Both the good guys and Willmar combined for 14 runs and 19 hits as the home team went on to win the game by a count of 8-6. The blue and yellow improve to 5-0 on the season while the Stingers fall to 0-5.
Willmar got things going early by putting up a four spot in the top of the second inning. The Stingers’ starter would prove to have control issues allowing the Bucks to stay in the game.
The first batter of the inning, Jordan Adams was hit by a pitch. While Davis Hendrickson was batting, Adams advanced to second on a wild pitch. Hendrickson was retired but while the following batter, Thomas Lindauer was batting, Adams advanced to third and scored on another wild pitch.
The Stingers would add another in the top of the third but Waterloo would answer in the bottom half of the inning yet again. Peter Leonello began the inning with a single to right field. Leonello would advance to second on an error by the pitcher and then to third on yet another wild pitch all during Kevin Kaczmarski’s at-bat. Kaczmarski would draw a walk to get runners on the corners and then steal second base. The next batter, Benny Roberts would get on after being hit by a pitch. Richard Gonzalez would ground into a 6-4-3 double play allowing Leonello to score from third. Sean Borman would then bring in Kaczmarski with a single to the left side.
Trailing 5-3 now, the home team would tack on four more in the bottom of the fifth. Leonello led it off with a single. He was retired at second on a fielder’s choice from Kaczmarski. Roberts would then single to put runners on the corners. The next batter, Gonzalez would single to left scoring Kaczmarski and advancing Roberts to second. Borman would add his second RBI of the game with a single to right scoring Roberts. One batter later, Gonzalez would score on a wild pitch and Adams would draw a walk. Borman would then score on a fielder’s choice from Hendrickson.
Another run of insurance would cross the plate in the seventh on an RBI single from Hendrickson scoring Gonzalez who doubled to begin the inning. Willmar would add a sixth run in the ninth but it wouldn’t be enough as the Bucks completed the three-game sweep.
Zach Pettiford (2-0) earned the win after going five innings and giving up five runs, all earned, on seven hits while striking out five and walking three Stingers. In relief, Jordan Milbrath would throw three scoreless innings while striking out two and giving up just two hits. Kyle Kramp earned his second save after a one-run inning to cap the game.
Leonello, Gonzalez and Borman all tallied two hits while both Borman and Hendrickson would bring in two runs a piece. Kaczmarski and Gonzalez also each scored twice.
Next up, the Bucks begin the first of a two-game set with the St. Cloud Rox. First Pitch tomorrow is set for 6:35. Keep coming back to www.waterloobucks.com for all the latest news on the Cedar Valley’s Home Team.