The Waterloo Bucks collected three runs on four hits in the top of the ninth to come back and beat Mankato in the final inning, 4-3.

By: Matt Gruemmer, Waterloo Bucks

MANKATO, Minn. – Trailing by two in the top of the ninth, the Waterloo Bucks tallied three runs to down the Mankato MoonDogs (3-8) Friday night at Franklin Rogers Park, 4-3, and put their three-game losing skid to a halt. Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) led off the final frame with a triple to the wall in straightaway centerfield, scored in the ninth and also brought in a run with a base-loaded walk. Mark Hernandez (Long Island) hit the game-tying run in with a single to right field while Tyler Selesky (Florida Gulf Coast) and Joseph Shepherd (Murray St. College) each provided runs in the ninth to help secure the victory.

Zach Reeg (Augustana College) picked up the win with a scoreless inning out of the bullpen while Sean Trimble (Long Beach St.) took the save after working through a scoreless bottom of the ninth. With the win, the Bucks remain a half game out of first place in the Northern Division of the Northwoods League.

The Bucks drew first blood in the top of the third when Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) drew a bases-loaded walk. Matthew Stemper (Minnesota) led off the inning with an infield single and scored on the walk to give Waterloo a 1-0 lead.

Mankato provided the equalizer in the bottom of the third when Sulliam Rios-Reyes (Kirkwood CC) plated Kyle Weston (James Madison) with a groundout to the right side of the infield.

The MoonDogs grabbed another run in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead, 2-1. For the second time in the game, Rios-Reyes bounced Weston to the plated, this time with a single into right field.

Brian Drapeau (Long Island) exited as the Waterloo start after five innings of two-run baseball. The right-hander allowed the two runs on six hits while walking one and striking out a pair during his third start of the season.

Brent Jurceka (Evansville) picked up the ball for the Bucks to open the sixth and surrendered one run on two hits during the night while walking three and striking out one.

The MoonDogs struck again in the bottom of the sixth when Craig Nennig (Ohio State) scored on a bloop single into the outfield.

Zach Reeg toed the hill in eighth and worked a scoreless frame to give the Waterlo offense one more scoring chance.

After three runs scored in the top of the ninth, Trimble entered and secured the 4-3 win after allowing two hits and striking out a pair.

The Bucks stay in Mankato Saturday for the series-finale with the MoonDogs. Eric Veglahn (St. Thomas) is the probable starter for Waterloo with the first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Saturday’s game can also be heard on 1650 The Fan, KCNZ.

Waterloo returns home June 9 to face Thunder Bay. Next Tuesday marks a 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.