Waterloo goes for the series split on Sunday in the finale of a season-high six-game road trip

Box Score: http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=316832

By: Jared Shlensky

DULUTH, Minn. – Three runs in the first two innings and two additional runs in the bottom of the eighth pushed the Duluth Hukies pass the Waterloo Bucks, 5-2, in the series opener on Saturday night from Wade Stadium. Waterloo does remain one game back of St. Cloud for first place in the North Division after the Rox saw their 10-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday.

Duluth (12-13) took an early 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the first. Daniel Anmaral drew a walk to begin the frame before stealing second to move into scoring position. Liam Sabino then reached on a Waterloo fielding error, giving the Huskies runners on the corners. Dillon Paulson brought in the first run of the game with an RBI single to left before Reid Long doubled the Huskies lead with a sacrifice fly.

The Huskies extended their lead to 3-0 with a run in the second. Carter Hanford led off the inning with a single to left before advancing to second on a passed ball. Two batters later, the Bucks committed another error, allowing Hanford to score.

Waterloo (16-8) got on the board with a run in the fourth. Adam McGinnis drew a one-out walk  before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Luke Stratman brought him in with a two-out RBI double off the top of the left-center wall.

The Bucks cut the Huskies lead to 3-2 with a run in the sixth. Tyler Curtis started the inning with a single to center before McGinnis reached base for the second time after being hit in the back. Zack Soria then loaded the bases with a single to center. After Stratman popped out, Robert Neustrom scored Curtis with a sacrifice fly to left-center.

Duluth tacked on two additional runs in the ninth to secure the win. Sabino drew a leadoff walk before stealing second. Long was then intentionally walked before Mitch reeves moved both runners into scoring position with a groundout to third. A Nate Spielvogel wild pitch scored Sabino from third to make it 4-2 before Hanford brought in Long with a two-out RBI single to center.

Curtis extended his on-base streak to eight with a leadoff walk in the first while Z. Soria extended his on-base streak to 10 with a single in the sixth. Alex Boxwell reached base twice and stole a season-high three bases in the loss.

Steven Baker (0-1) was charged in the loss for Waterloo. The right-hander struck out a season-high eight over 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk.

Daniel Agramont tossed his second straight scoreless relief appearance. Agramont walked two and struck out one in 1 1/3 innings.

Riley Gates (1-0) earned the win in his second appearance of the season. The southpaw yielded one run on hit, striking out seven and walking three over five innings. Daniel Hadley (2) recorded the save with a perfect top of the ninth.

The Bucks conclude their six-game road trip on Sunday afternoon in the series finale against Duluth. First pitch is at 3:05 p.m. RHP Jared Crescentini (2-0, 2.85) takes the hill in the series finale for Waterloo while the Huskies counter with RHP Corey Gaconi (2-0, 0.00).  

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.