Last night in their first loss of the season, it was one to forget for the Bucks’ pitching staff. They gave up 13 runs, 11 of them earned on 12 hits while walking 10 Stingers. Tonight was a much different story as they gave up just two runs, one of which was earned and eight of the nine hitters in the blue and yellow’s lineup had hits. With the 10-2 victory, Waterloo improves to 8-1 on the season while Willmar falls to 3-6 snapping their 3 game winning streak.
The Bucks got things going early with a four spot in the top of the first inning. Riley Good led off the inning with a double and Peter Leonello advanced him to third on a sacrifice. Benny Roberts reached base on a walk and one out later came Sean Borman. Waterloo then scored their first run of the game on a double steal scoring Leonello and advancing Roberts to second. Borman would walk to put runners on first and second. The next batter, Jordan Adams would clear the bases with a three-run home run putting the guests up 4-0 before Willmar had even come to the plate.
Four more would come across the plate in the top of the fifth frame. The number nine hitter in the lineup, Nico Zych would start things off with a double. Good would then walk and Leonello would single to load them up for Roberts. Roberts would double and Zych would score easily while both Good and Leonello would score on an error by the shortstop. That same error would allow Roberts to reach third base for Richard Gonzalez who was hit by a pitch. Borman would then ground into a double play scoring Roberts.
Willmar would score their first run of the game in the bottom of that inning but Waterloo would add a ninth run in the top of the sixth. That run would come by way of an RBI single from Good scoring Davis Hendrickson.
The black and yellow would bring across and second and final run in the seventh while the Bucks would reach double digits in the top of the ninth. Roberts would score on an RBI double from Gonzalez.
Although the North division leaders tallied ten runs on ten hits, the pitching was the reason a new winning streak was started.
The starter, Jordan Foley (2-0) threw five innings while giving up just one earned run on four hits while striking out five Stingers and walking only two. In relief, Wartburg product Ryan Doty went three innings while giving up one run that was unearned and striking out four. Jordan Milbrath also went one inning of scoreless relief to round out the effort.
Zych and Good both had two hits a piece while Roberts and Adams had multiple RBI at two and three, respectively. Good also had an RBI and two runs scored with Roberts adding three runs by himself.
Next up, Waterloo finishes a three game set with the Stingers. First pitch tomorrow is set for 7:05 p.m. The Bucks then return home for a two-game weekend set with the Duluth Huskies. First pitch Saturday is set for 6:35 p.m. Keep checking back into www.waterloobucks.com for all the latest news on the Cedar Valley’s Home team.