The Bucks won both games in Thunder Bay on Saturday, winning the first game by a score of 3-2 and the second 7-0. While the Bucks offense has carried them this season, it was the pitching that was impressive on Saturday and really for the whole Thunder Bay series. With the Bucks starting to click on all cylinders, they should have a lot of confidence going into the upcoming week with games against the Huskies and division leading Moondogs.
The Bucks started off the scoring in the top of the 3rd when singles by Austin Barrett and Sean Borman each drove in a run, giving the Bucks a 2-0 lead. The Bucks added a third run the next inning when Barrett got his second RBI of the game, driving in Thomas Lindauer on a sacrifice fly. This turned out to be all the Bucks needed as they went on to win the game 3-2.
The Bucks pitching came up big on a night that the offense was stagnant. Derek Lamacchia started the game, going five innings and striking out seven, giving up no runs on just three hits. Reed Reilly came in next and pitched one inning. While he gave up two earned runs, he also left the bases loaded to keep the Bucks on top. Kellen Camus came in last, giving up two hits and getting all three outs by way of strikeout, getting the save for the Bucks.
In the second game, Jake Powers was the star for the Bucks, going all seven innings of the game, giving up no runs on four hits, with four strikeouts and no walks. This was the fourth shutout of the year for the Bucks, with three of them coming in this series against Thunder Bay.
The offense gave an early cushion to Powers, scoring five runs in the first three innings. An RBI double by Thomas Lindauer scored Riley Good in the second inning which was followed up by a RBI single by Pete Leonello. Leonello added two more RBI in the fifth inning, giving the Bucks a 7-0 lead.
In the next ten games, the Bucks will play the Duluth Huskies and the Mankato Moondogs each five times. While the Huskies are cold as of late, they did sweep the Bucks in two games at Riverfront Stadium, one by a score of 16-3. The Bucks have yet to play the Moondogs this season, but these games will probably decide who the 1st Half Champion of the North Division is.
The Bucks have Sunday off and will return to Riverfront Stadium on Monday to start a three game series with the Duluth Huskies. Gates will open at 5:30 pm for a 6:35 pm first pitch. Remember to check out waterloobucks.com for all your latest Bucks information.