Taylor Boyd recorded a season-high four hits in the series opener vs. La Crosse
Box Score: http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=364489
By: Jared Shlensky
WATERLOO, Iowa – Taylor Boyd recorded four hits and drove in four runs as the Waterloo Bucks downed the La Crosse Loggers, 7-1, in the start of a four-game series and five straight home games on Monday night at Riverfront Stadium. Every batter reached base at least once on the night while Patrick Boyle earned his second win with six strong innings.
La Crosse (14-13) struck first with a run in the second. Grant Fennell started the inning with a one-out single to right before Jake Hirabayashi drew a walk. Kevin Collard followed Hirabayashi with an RBI single to right, bringing Fennell around from second.
Waterloo (18-8) evened the game at 1-1 with a run in the third. Daniel Perry drew a walk to lead off the frame before an Alex Boxwell groundout moved him to second. Boyd then recorded his first of four hits and four RBI with an RBI double down the left field line.
The Bucks extended their lead to three with three runs in the fourth. Adam McGinnis led off the inning with a walk before Brody Weiss brought him in two batters later with an RBI double to left. Robert Neustrom then drew a walk to give the Bucks runners on first and second before Alex Boxwell reached on a La Crosse fielding error to load the bases. Boyd then poked a single into right-center, scoring both McGinnis and Weiss.
Waterloo increased their lead to 5-1 with a two-out run in the sixth. Neustrom doubled into the right field corner to begin the frame before Daniel Perry moved him up 90-feet with a sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Boyd drove in his final run of the evening with a two-out RBI single to center.
The Bucks tacked on two more runs in the seventh to go up 7-1. Jake Hand led off the inning with a single to left in his first game with the Bucks in two weeks before Tyler Curtis doubled to left, giving Waterloo runners on second and third. Two batters later, Lane Milligan brought in Hand with a sacrifice fly to left. Another error by the Loggers allowed Curtis to score with two outs in the inning.
Boyle (2-1) recorded his third quality start in the win. The southpaw allowed one run on seven hits and three walks while striking out three over six innings. Andy Muehlberger, Trevor Patterson and Jonathan Buckley each tossed a perfect inning of relief in the win.
Mitch Stalsberg (2-3) suffered the loss despite striking out nine. The southpaw allowed five runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks in six innings.
The Bucks open a five-game homestand on Monday against La Crosse. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. LHP Patrick Boyle (1-1, 5.76) gets the ball for Waterloo while the Loggers counter with LHP Mitch Stalsberg (2-2, 2.36).
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.