Adam McGinnis (Western Illinois) and Taylor Boyd (St. Joseph’s) both provided run-scoring singles for the Bucks in the ninth inning for a two-run comeback victory over Mankato.
By: Matt Gruemmer, Waterloo Bucks
WATERLOO, Iowa – The Waterloo Bucks scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk-off 4-3 against the Mankato MoonDogs at Riverfront Stadium Thursday night. Sean Trimble (Long Beach) retired all 13 hitters he faced and picked up the win over 4 1/3 innings pitched out of the bullpen. Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) and Luke Stratman (Lamar CC) both earned one-out walks in the ninth to provide the game-tying and winning runs in the final frame. The win gave Waterloo its third straight to open the 2015 season.
The Bucks drew first blood in the opening inning. Zach Jarrett (Charlotte) drove in Mikal Hill (Winston-Salem St.) with a triple off the wall in deep right field, and later scored when Mark Hernandez (Long Island) grounded out to the right side of the infield at second base. The early offense gave Waterloo a 2-0 lead.
Kaden Moore (Indiana St.) responded soon after for Mankato with a two-run homerun over the wall in left to tie the game at 2-2.
Mankato grabbed the lead in the top of the fourth when Sulliam Rios Reyes (Kirkwood CC) plated Moore with an infield single behind the pitcher’s mound. The two-out run-batted-in made it a 3-2 game in the fourth.
Bucks’ starter Carson McPherson (Lamar CC) exited the hill with two outs and runners on the corners in the fifth. The left-handed hurler gave up three runs on six hits, struck out one and walked four in the no-decision effort.
Trimble (1-0) took over in the top of the fifth for Waterloo and struck out the first man he faced to escape the scoring threat. The Bucks only reliever on the night shut down the Mankato offense by retiring all 13 men he faced in the box.
Waterloo left two runners in scoring position in the seventh and went down in order in the eighth before sparking a two-run rally in the ninth.
Kyle Goodbrand (Saddleback) (0-1) took the loss and came to the mound for the MoonDogs in the ninth inning. After walks were issued to both Boxwell and Stratman, Adam McGinnis hit a pinch-hit RBI single into shallow left to tie the game at 3-3.
In the next at-bat, Boyd looped a single into right field to bring Stratman to the plate and secure the 4-3 comeback victory.
The Bucks continue the series with the MoonDogs Friday evening with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
It’s a Flat Screen Friday where fans ages 18 and older can register to win one of three 32" flat screen TVs that will be given away each Friday home game. There will also be an appearance by former Chicago Cub Lee Smith. Smith will be available to sign autographs before the game and for 45 minutes during the game. He will also be throwing a ceremonial first pitch, and joining our radio broadcaster Matt Gruemmer for a half-inning. Make sure to come out for your chance to meet one of baseball’s finest!
Friday also marks a promotional Poster Giveaway Presented by JLL Extended Stay Inn, MaidPro, & Noodles & Company. The first 500 fans through the gate receive a free 2015 season Promotional Poster!
There will also be a Great Clips Showcar Display where fans can check out a replica of the Great Clips No. 9 car driven by the World of Outlaws Series 2013 champion Daryn Pittman.
Tickets are available at waterloobucks.com. You can also visit the Bucks Ticket Office at Riverfront Stadium or call 319-232-5633.
Bucks games are broadcast live on waterloobucks.com
# # #
The Waterloo Bucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.waterloobucks.com.
