Waterloo, IA – The Bucks were threatening in the ninth and had already scored one run but left the bases loaded and fell to the Mankato MoonDogs tonight by a score of 4-2. It was a well played game from both sides that didn’t see any errors and was nearly equal in hits with the hosts outhitting the guests 8-7. Mankato however used a big seventh inning to take the victory improving their record to 32-8 including 4-1 in the second half. The blue and yellow fall to 21-19 on the season and 2-3 in the second half.

 

Brock Hudgens got the start for the hosts and pitched very well. He gave up just one run on four hits while striking out seven and walking two. Hudgens gave way to the bullpen after six innings. The pitching was equally good from the opposition. Kyle McGrath (5-1) faced the Bucks for a third time this season and is now 3-0 against them. The Louisville product nearly pitched a complete game with 8.2 IP and gave up just the two runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking two.

 

The MoonDogs struck first in the top of the first with one but Waterloo got that run back in the bottom of the second. The score remained tied at one run a piece until the top of the seventh when Mankato did the rest of their damage scoring three runs and taking a 4-1 lead. Kyle Kramp (0-3) came in to relieve Hudgens and gave up all three of those runs. Chris Dunn finished the way and pitched two scoreless innings.

 

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Austin Barrett walked and Kevin Kaczmarski hit a single up the middle to put runners on first and second for Freddy Villalobos. Villalobos struck out swinging but then came Sean Borman who walked to load the bases up for Jordan Adams. Benny Roberts pinch hit and in came the Northwoods league leader in saves, Patrick Goelz. Roberts hit an RBI single to cut the deficit in half 4-2. However, that is how the score would stand as the Bucks fell in the final game of a three-game series.

In other news, the Bucks have re-signed pitcher Connor Cline, bringing their roster to 26 active players. 

 

Next up, Waterloo begins a five game set with the Border Cats of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. First pitch for Tuesday night and every game of the series is set for 6:35 p.m. Keep checking back into www.waterloobucks.com for all the latest information on The Cedar Valley’s Home Team.