Latest News
Strong pitching and exceptional defense ruled the twin bill as Waterloo went 1-1 against the Bombers.
By: Matt Gruemmer, Waterloo Bucks
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – The Waterloo Bucks (12-8) split the day, 1-1, with the Battle Creek Bombers (8-11) in a doubleheader that saw only two runs cross the plate Sunday afternoon at C.O. Brown Stadium. Both seven-inning games ended in 1-0 decisions – the Bombers claimed game one with a fifth-inning score and the Bucks pulled off the game two victory after scoring on a pass ball in the top of the seventh. Waterloo’s defense and pitching storied both games with run-saving gems and a combined 10 strikeouts. Offensively, the Bucks struggled with runners in scoring position going 0-for-12, collectively, throughout the doubleheader.
Preston Church (2-1) (Western Illinois) took the loss in the opening contest after allowing one run during a complete game, three-hitter. Nick Veale (Minnesota St.) got the spot start in game two and allowed just three hits over three scoreless frames of work. Sean Trimble (2-0) (Long Beach St.) earned the win in game two out of the bullpen by providing four scoreless innings of four-hit baseball. Weston Hatten (Washington St.) scored the lone Waterloo run in finale of the twin bill after being hit by a pitch in the top of the final inning.
Game 1
The Bombers took the opener, 1-0, with the help of one run in the fifth. Church (2-1), Waterloo’s starter, took a no-hitter into the bottom of the fifth before surrendering his first base-hit to Battle Creek.
Tyler Walsh (Belmont) recorded that first hit for the Bombers with a leadoff double to the gap in left-centerfield. After Li Lin (National Taiwan Sport) hit into a 4-3 double play, Walsh scored for the decisive 1-0 Battle Creek lead.
Church finished by throwing the complete game, six-inning thriller for the Bucks. The southpaw gave up one run on three hits while walking none and striking out five during his first losing start of the year.
Game 2
The Bucks took game two with a run in the top of the seventh to salvage the split, 1-0. The win marked their third shutout of the season and second in the last three games. Hatten scored the lone run for Waterloo in the seventh after leading off the inning with a hit-by-pitch. After being moved over to third with a bunt and a groundout, Hatten scored on a pass ball to the backstop for the game-winning run.
Nick Veale got the start for the Bucks and shutdown the Bomber lineup for three hits over the course of three scoreless innings. In his first start of the year, Veale walked two and struck out four.
Sean Trimble (2-0) picked up right where the starter left off by giving up just four hits over four innings of shutout ball. The righty struck out two and walked none while taking the win in his seventh relief outing of the year.
Waterloo plays at home next on Monday, June 15, against the Mankato MoonDogs. Get your tickets now for another Monday: Buck Nights.
Every Monday home game, get regular hot dogs for just $1.50, plus 10 oz. draft beer, 12 oz. sodas, small popcorn, and ice cream sandwiches are just $1 each, sponsored by K98.5.
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.
