Waterloo scores season-high 15 runs on 13 walks in series opener vs. Thunder Bay

Box Score: http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=316782

By: Jared Shlensky

WATERLOO, Iowa. – Waterloo remains in the first place in the North Division after downing Thunder Bay, 15-9, in front of a season-high 2,096 fans at Riverfront Stadium on Star Wars Night. The Bucks drew a season-high 13 walks and every starter for Waterloo reached base at least once on the night.

The Bucks went up 4-0 in the second inning with six consecutive batters to reach base in the frame. Zack Soria brought in the first run of the night with an RBI single to left before Daniel Perry increased the Bucks’ lead to four with a bases-clearing double.

Thunder Bay (1-17) cut the Waterloo lead to one with three runs in the third. Bobby Honeyman’s RBI bunt single got the Border Cats on the board before a passed ball scored Jesse Lee for the second run of the inning. Shane Shephard made it a 4-3 game with an RBI double to left.

Tyler Curtis’s two-out solo home run to left put the Bucks back in front by two. The home run for Curtis was one of the three hits on the day for the infielder and his first home run of the year.

The Border Cats took their first lead of the night with four runs in the fifth. Andrew Fregia gave Thunder Bay a one-run lead with a towering three-run home run to left before Andy Weber’s RBI single increased the Border Cats’ lead to 7-5.

Waterloo (13-5) regained the lead with four runs in the fifth. Adam McGinnis’s RBI groundout trimmed the Thunder Bay lead to one before Curtis evened the game at 7-7 with an RBI single. Taylor Boyd gave the Bucks back the lead with a two-run single into right-center field.

Waterloo went up by five with a five-run sixth inning. An RBI fielder’s choice and six walks in the inning, four of which came with the bases loaded, extended the Bucks’ lead to 14-9. Zac Sanders brought in Waterloo’s final run of the night with a pinch-hit RBI single through the left side in the eighth.

Bryce Reichmann (1-0) earned the win out the bullpen in his season debut. The southpaw yielded two runs (one earned) on three hits, striking out two and walking two in 2 1/3 innings. 

Joey Burris (1-1) allowed two runs on two hits, striking out one and walking two in 2/3 of an inning.

The Bucks conclude their two-game homestand on Sunday, June 19 against the Thunder Bay Border Cats. First pitch in the series finale is at 7:05 p.m.  RHP Jordan Accetta (3-0, 0.60) makes his fourth start for Waterloo while RHP Cameron Churchill (0-0, 0.00) makes his debut for Thunder Bay.

Sunday’s game is at 3:35 p.m. and is Daddy/Daughter Date Day. Fathers and daughters can pre-register for a package including a cupcake party with Cinderella and Tianna and take photos with her favorite princesses. Sunday is also Father’s Day, all fathers and their children can play catch in the outfield after the game. ​