Waterloo recorded a season-high 16 hits in the series opener vs. Willmar on Thursday night
Box Score: http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=316822
By: Jared Shlensky
WILLMAR, Minn. – A quality start from Brett Solano and a season-high 16 hits paced the Waterloo Bucks to a 7-2 win over the Willmar Stingers in the series opener from Bill Taunton Stadium on Thursday night. The win also keeps Waterloo just one game back of St. Cloud for first place in the North Division.
Solano (2-1) retired six of the first seven hitters he faced in his first road start of the year and recorded the first win by a Waterloo starter in 10 days. The right-hander allowed just two runs on four hits in 6 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out two.
Waterloo (15-7) took a 1-0 lead with a run in the fourth. Lane Milligan singled to left to begin the inning before moving to second on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Zack Soria brought around Milligan with an RBI double down the left field line.
The Bucks extended their lead to five with four runs in the sixth. Taylor Boyd’s RBI fielder’s choice made it 2-0 before Alex Boxwell increased the Bucks’ lead to three with an RBI single to right. After Tyler Curtis drew a walk to load the bases, Adam McGinnis plated Boyd and Boxwell for the final two runs of the inning.
Willmar (11-12) cut the Waterloo lead to three with two runs in the seventh. Quincy McAfee delivered the first Stingers run with an RBI single to right before Dylan Woods doubled Willmar’s run total with an RBI single of his own.
Z. Soria’s two-run double to right-center drove in McGinnis and Milligan for the final two runs of the night. McGinnis, Milligan and Z. Soria each led the Bucks with three hits while every Bucks starter reached base at least once on the night.
Bryce Reichmann (1) and Derek Hendrixson (1) each recorded holds in relief. Reichmann allowed one hit in 2/3 of an inning while Hendrixson allowed a hit and struck out a batter in a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
Brandon Downey struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth in a non-save situation. In nine appearances and 14 1/3 innings this season, Downey has yet to allow an earned run.
The Bucks go for the series sweep tomorrow night against the Willmar Stingers. First pitch in the series finale is at 7:05 p.m. RHP Jordan Accetta (3-0, 1.77) takes the mound for Waterloo while LHP Blake Stockert (2-1, 0.57) counters for Willmar.
Waterloo returns home to Riverfront Stadium on Monday, June 27th vs. La Crosse. Monday’s game is another Buck Night. 10 oz. draft beer, 12 oz. fountain soda, small popcorn and ice cream sandwiches are $1.00 while hot dogs are just $1.50. All Waterloo Bucks games can be heard online with Jared Shlensky on waterloobucks.com.
