Waterloo’s offense mustered 10 hits as the Huskies claimed their fourth meeting at Riverfront this season.
By: Matt Gruemmer, Waterloo Bucks
WATERLOO, Iowa – The Waterloo Bucks (28-26/10-8) dropped an 8-5 decision to the Duluth Huskies (31-23/11-7) Sunday evening at Riverfront Stadium, marking their fourth regular-season loss to the Huskies at home this season. After just four hits in a shutout loss on Saturday, The Bucks’ offense rattled 10 hits to drop their second straight game at home.
Frank Rubio (1-1) (Florida) took the loss on the hill, surrendering eight runs on 11 hits over seven innings on the start. Nathan Spielvogel (Marrimack) tallied one of his most dominant relief outings of the year, taming the Huskies’ lineup for one hit and two strikeouts in the final two frames. Tyler Selesky (Florida Gulf Coast) paced the Waterloo batting order with three hits, a run scored and a run batted in through the contest.
For the second game in a row, the Huskies got on the board first. Jimmy Heck (Minn.-Duluth) and Justin Paulsen (Missouri St.) came across in the top of the second to give Duluth the 2-0 lead.
Waterloo answered in the bottom of the third with three runs on two outs, taking the lead, 3-2. Jonah Bride (Neosho County CC) stayed hot with runners on base as he doubled in Selesky and Chris Kelly (DMACC) to tie the game. In the following at-bat, Taylor Lane (Florida) singled in Bride to left field to grab the one run lead.
The first four men reached and scored for the Huskies in the top of the fourth as they battled their way back in front, 6-3.
Mikal Hill (Winston-Salem St.) kept the bottom of the fourth alive for Waterloo with a run-scoring double that sent first-day Buck Daniel Perry (Iowa) across the plate. Still with two down, Selesky singled in Hill in the next plate appearance to make it a one run affair, 6-5.
A lead-off double for Nick Valaika (UCLA) led to another run in the top of the seventh for Duluth. Elijah Dilday (Nebraska) brought him in on a sacrifice while Heck singled in Danny Lee (St. College of Manatee) for the 8-5 lead.
Waterloo opens the all-star break Monday before both the North and South Divisions of the Northwoods League will meet on Tuesday, July 21, at Witter Field in Wisconsin Rapids for the 2015 All-Star Game at 7:05 p.m. (CST).
The Bucks return to action Thursday, opening a two-game stand with the Willmar Stingers at 7:05 p.m. Thursday marks Summertime St. Patty’s Day! Presented by Veridian Credit Union & Iowa Irish Fest, celebrate Irish heritage in Iowa with green beer being served all game and a special National Anthem performed by Bagpipers! The first 500 fans through the gate receive a free green ‘Summertime St. Patty’s Day’ t-shirt!
It will also be another Thirsty Thursday where fans can get 20 oz. bottles of water, 24 oz. fountain soda, 12 oz. regular draft beer, and small popcorn for just $2.00 each! Sponsored by Q92.3.
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.