Waterloo’s offense utilized five hits and five Rox errors to take a 6-3 decision over St. Cloud. Eric Veglahn (1-0) picked up his first win after hurling five innings of three-run baseball.

By: Matt Gruemmer, Waterloo Bucks

WATERLOO, Iowa – The Waterloo Bucks stayed hot with a 6-3 victory over the St. Cloud Rox Monday night at Riverfront Stadium. Waterloo’s three runs in each the first and fourth frames proved to be the difference in a game that saw three unearned runs and seven defensive errors. Eric Veglahn (St. Thomas) settled in for the Bucks after surrendering two runs in the first inning and secured his first victory of the year behind timely hitting and early offense. Luke Stratman (Lamar CC) and Taylor Boyd (St. Joseph’s) teamed up for the second night in a row to provide run-scoring hits in the lineup.

Combining for just four hits and four strikeouts, Nick Veale (Minnesota State-Mankato) and Nathan Spielvogel (Merrimack College) were brilliant out of the bullpen for the Bucks in the win. The victory ties the season-opening win streak of seven, set by the club in 2012.

The Rox grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first with runs contributed by Jake Farr (Tenn. Tech University) and Michael Strem (Boston College) who both singled in the inning.

Waterloo responded with three runs in the bottom of the first on one hit and two St. Cloud errors. Tyler Selesky (Florida Gulf Coast) and Boyd scored on an Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) ground ball error at second base to put Waterloo on the board. Mikal Hill (Winston-Salem St.) knocked Zach Jarrett (Charlotte) in with a sacrifice fly later in the first to send the Bucks in front, 3-2.

Following a leadoff single and an errant pickoff move that got him to third base, Brandon Benson (Georgia College) retaliated for St. Cloud in the fourth by scoring on a Kyle Serrano (Colorado Mesa) ground out to second.

Run-scoring singles by Stratman and Boyd in the bottom of the fourth made it a 6-3 Waterloo lead. Matthew Stemper (Minnesota), Joseph Shepherd (Murray St. College) and Hill all scored in the inning after being sent to the bases by either a walk or hit-by-pitch.

Eric Veglahn exited in the top of the sixth after walking the leadoff hitter. The starting southpaw tossed five innings of three-run baseball where he surrendered seven hits, two walks and struck out a pair in his first winning start of the season.

Nick Veale took over on the hill with no outs and a man on in the sixth. The reliever pitched his way through three scoreless innings while giving up three hits and striking out three Rox.

Nathan Spielvogel toed the rubber in the ninth and picked up the save over one inning where he struck out one and surrendered a lone single. The right-hander secured the 6-3 victory for Waterloo in his second bullpen stint.

The Bucks continue the home stand Tuesday in game two of the series against St. Cloud. It’s Waterloo’s first Two For Tuesday promotion. Follow the Bucks on Facebook or their email newsletter for a buy one ticket get one FREE offer for Tuesday home games. One lucky fan will win a pair of Minnesota Twins tickets given away at every Tuesday home game.

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

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The Waterloo Bucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22^nd 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.