Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) scored Waterloo’s only run of the night in a 13-1 loss to the Rox.
By: Matt Gruemmer, Waterloo Bucks
WATERLOO, Iowa – The Bucks’ seven-game win streak came to a close Tuesday night after 13-1 collapse against the St. Cloud Rox at Riverfront Stadium. Waterloo’s pitching staff surrendered a season-high 19 hits and six base on balls in the losing effort at home. Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) made an unassisted double play from centerfield on defense and scored the team’s lone run in the defeat. Carson McPherson (Murray St.) took the loss as the Bucks starter after yielding five runs on six hits over the span of 2 1/3 innings while walking a pair and striking out four. With the win, the Rox split the series, 1-1.
Much like the first game in the series, St. Cloud got on the board with scoring chances early. Austin Athmann (Minnesota) put the Rox up 1-0 in the second inning when he scored on Connor Crane’s (McNeese St.) RBI single to left field.
Boxwell responded for Waterloo in the bottom of the second with the team’s lone run to tie the game, 1-1. After a one-out single, Boxwell was brought around by Adam McGinnis (Western Illinois) with a double that hit the wall in deep left-center field.
St. Cloud regained the lead for good in the top of the third with five runs on five hits. McPherson exited as the starter with the bases loaded and one out in the frame with Waterloo trailing, 2-1.
Sean Trimble (Long Beach) entered for the Bucks with the bases loaded situation in the top of the third. The reliever allowed a pair of two RBI hits to the Rox before escaping the jam, down 6-1. Trimble ended the night after 2 2/3 inning pitched where he allowed one run on three hits and struck out one.
The Rox added offense with two runs in the top of the sixth to push the lead to 8-1 off Zach Reeg (Augustana, SD). In his one-inning Northwoods League debut, Reeg gave up a pair of runs on three hits, walked two and picked off two runners at second base.
Three more runs in the seventh inning made it an 11-1 St. Cloud advantage, this time being scored against new Bucks pitcher Joe Martinson (Minnesota). Martinson hurled two innings of relief and surrendered three runs on five hits while walking one in his second relief outing of the year.
Landon Busch (South Dakota St.) made his first Bucks appearance of 2015 and entered for Waterloo in the ninth. The lefty gave up two runs on two hits to send St. Cloud ahead for the final score of 13-1.
The Bucks continue the home stand Wednesday and open a two-game series against the Duluth Huskies. Tyler Day (Stephen F. Austin) is set to pitch tomorrow for the 7:05 p.m. home game.
Wednesday marks the first Big Bucks Cash Giveaway at the ballpark presented by U.S. Bank. At the game, $500 in cash will be given away to fans 18 and older at the main gates every Wednesday home game with $100 as the top cash prize. Media sponsor is 105.7 KOKZ.
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 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.
