Waterloo looks to take three of four later today in the finale of today’s day-night doubleheader.
Box Score: http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=316878
By: Jared Shlensky
WATERLOO, Iowa – Waterloo saw its three-game winning streak come to an end on Wednesday in game one of a day-night doubleheader vs. La Crosse. Waterloo never led on the day and currently trails St. Cloud by 1/2 a game for first place in the North Division.
La Crosse (15-14) struck first for the third straight game with three runs in the top of the third. Griffin Conine started the third with a solo home run to right-center, just missing the brand new LED Video Board. Luis Trevino followed Conine with a single to right before Garrett Zech doubled down the left field line, giving the Loggers a pair of runners in scoring position. Mason McCoy doubled the La Crosse lead with an RBI groundout to the left side, scoring Trevino. Justin Wiley put La Crosse up 3-0 with an RBI single to left, bringing in Garrett Zech.
Waterloo (19-9) cut the La Crosse lead to one with a two-out run in the bottom of the third. John Gonzalez led off the inning with a double that one-hopped the center field fence. Zach Weatherford then moved Gonzalez into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Taylor Boyd later reached second on a fielder’s choice, resulting in Gonzalez being tagged out in a rundown. Alex Boxwell got Waterloo on the board with an RBI single to center, plating Boyd from second.
The Loggers went back up three with an unearned run in the fourth. Conine recorded his second hit on the afternoon with a double down the right field line before Trevino reached on an infield single, giving La Crosse runners on the corners. With two outs in the frame, McCoy reached on a Waterloo fielding error allowing Conine to score for the second time.
The Bucks cut the deficit back to two with another two-out run in the fourth. Adam McGinnis led off the frame with a sharp single past a diving Large at third. Two batters later, Robert Neustrom moved McGinnis into scoring position with a groundout to first. Brody Weiss followed Neustrom with an RBI double down the left field line, bringing around Neustrom.
La Crosse increased their lead with two more runs in the fifth. Back-to-back hits by Large and Fennell gave the Loggers runner s on second and third to begin the inning. Back-to-back two-out RBI singles by Conine and Trevino put extended the La Crosse lead to 6-2.
The Loggers tacked on another run in the sixth to go up by five. McCoy drew a walk to begin the inning before Wylie reached on an infield single. Fennell then loaded the bases after reaching on the second Waterloo error of the day. Collard made it 7-2 with a bases-loaded walk for the final run of game one.
Jordan Accetta (3-1) was charged with his first of the season. The right-hander allowed a season-high five runs (four earned) on nine hits and three walks while striking out one.
Bryce Reichmann and Jonathan Buckley each allowed a run in relief. Reichmann went 2/3 of an inning, allowing one run on a pair of hits while Buckley yielded an unearned run on three hits and a walk in three innings.
Tim Mulvey recorded three groundouts in a perfect top of the ninth.
Mark Nowaczewski (3-1) recorded the win for La Crosse. Nowazcewski yielded just one run on nine hits, striking out six and walking one in six innings.
The Bucks resume their four-game series later today in La Crosse, Wis. First pitch from Copeland Park is at 7:05 p.m. RHP Daniel Agramont (0-1, 1.00) gets the start for Waterloo while the Loggers counter with LHP Andrew Perez (0-1, 1.00)
Waterloo returns home on Thursday vs. Mankato. Thursday’s game is a Thirsty Thursday. Get 20 oz. bottles of water, 24 oz. fountain soda, 12 oz. regular draft beer and small popcorn for just $2.00 each.
First pitch in the series opener vs. Mankato is at 7:05 p.m. RHP Steven Baker (0-1, 1.35) gets the ball for Waterloo while the Moondogs have yet to announce their starting pitcher.
All Waterloo Bucks games can be heard online at waterloobucks.com with Jared Shlensky.