The Bombers plated two runs in the top of the 10th to stave off a late Bucks comeback, grabbing the series-finale in a 7-6 marathon.
By: Matt Gruemmer, Waterloo Bucks
WATERLOO, Iowa – The Waterloo Bucks (19-21/1-3) could not keep pace with the Battle Creek Bombers (14-25/1/3), falling, 7-6, in extra innings in a game that featured 33 total hits Saturday night at Riverfront Stadium. With two outs and a 1-2 count, Zach McKinstry (Central Michigan) doubled in Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) from second base to tie the game, 5-5, and extend it to the 10th. Battle Creek’s Michael Sanderson (Cal Poly) responded in the top of the extra frame with a two-run single to secure the win for the Bombers and even the season series, 2-2.
Nathan Spielvogel (0-5) (Marrimack) took the loss after allowing the two-run hit in the top of the 10th after coming into the frame with one out and no one on base. Mikal Hill (Winston-Salem St.) powered his first home run of the season over the left field wall in the loss while teammate Zach Soria (Florida International) tallied three hits on the night. Lin Li (National Taiwan Sport) went 5-for-6 for the Bombers in a lineup that collected 20 hits against Waterloo pitching.
Battle Creek plated two runs in both the third and fourth innings to take a 4-0 lead into the fifth frame. The Bombers never trailed in the affair.
Mikal Hill open the offense for Waterloo by blasting a lead-off solo homerun over the wall in left field. Then, Soria singled in Luke Stratman (Lamar CC) to cut the deficit in half before McKinstry took home on a double steal to make it a 4-3 ball game.
Lin Li struck again for the Bombers in the top of the sixth, singling in Dre Gleason (Austin Peay) to extend the advantage, 5-3.
Frank Rubio (Flordia) exited the game after six innings in the no-decision effort for the Bucks. In his first start of the season, Rubio allowed five runs on 12 hits while striking out four and walking none.
Mitchel Babb (Ole Miss) toed the rubber to open the seventh frame and was brilliant in relief. The Waterloo defense helped Babb with two inning-ending double plays while the southpaw worked 3 1/3 innings of shutout ball from the pen.
Zach McKinstry tied the game, 5-5, in the bottom of the ninth for the Bucks by sending in Boxwell with a double to the alley in left field.
Ryan Nagle added a run for Waterloo in the bottom of the 10th after he led-off the frame with a double down the right field line. Edgar Sanchez (Cedar Valley College) closed the 10th and shut down the Bucks offense to secure the 7-6 win for the Bombers, their first victory of the second half.
The Bucks continue the home stand with a series-opener against the Willmar Stingers Sunday at 3:35 p.m. It’s a Kids Eat Free Sunday. Every Sunday, kids ages 12 & under get a coupon for a hot dog, small popcorn, & small fountain soda! Also enjoy Make It Up Face Painting and Darrel the Balloon Man during the 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 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.