Waterloo concludes its two-game homestand on Monday night vs. Eau Claire

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By: Jared Shlensky

WATERLOO, Iowa – After traveling nearly 10 hours following Saturday’s 5-2 win from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, the Bucks took down the Eau Claire Express, 5-1, in the series opener on Sunday evening. Eight of the nine Waterloo starters reached base at least once while the Bucks’ bullpen tossed four scoreless innings and retired 10 of the last 11 Eau Claire hitters it faced.

Eau Claire (2-2, 27-13) took a 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first. All-Star Daulton Varsho poked a two-out single into left for the first hit of the game before Alex McKeena drew a walk. Jared Mang delivered the first run of the day with an RBI double to left-center, scoring Varsho from second.

Waterloo (4-1, 26-14) took a 3-1 lead with three unearned runs in the third. Zach Weatherford reached on an Eau Claire fielding error to begin the inning. Brody Weiss then pulled a double down the third base line, moving Weatherford up to third. Matt Morrow then tied the game at 1-1 with an RBI groundout to first, however, the throw from Rudy Rott skipped pass catcher Daniel Herrera, allowing Weiss to score from second to make it 2-1. Taylor Boyd kept the inning going after being hit in the helmet with two outs. Boyd then stole second before scoring on Robert Neustrom’s RBI single to center.

The Bucks extended their lead to four with two runs in the fourth. Weatherford singled to right with two outs in the frame before Weiss lifted a two-run homer just over the left-center field fence for his first home run of the season.

Patrick Boyle (3-1) allowed just one run over five innings in his second home win of the season. The southpaw yielded five hits and four walks while striking out three in his first start of the second half.

Nate Spielvogel hit a batter in one scoreless inning of relief while Bryce Reichmann worked a perfect seventh inning of relief on seven pitches. Derek Hendrixson struck out one in a perfect eighth inning while Brandon Downey tossed a scoreless ninth inning.

Ryan Hamilton (3-4) was charged with the loss. Hamilton allowed five runs (two earned) on nine hits and a hit batsman in seven innings.

Waterloo wraps up its two-game homestand on Monday night vs. the Eau Claire Express. First pitch in the series finale is at 7:05 p.m. with RHP Steven Baker (1-1, 1.52) opposing Eau Claire RHP Austin Schulfer (1-1, 1.81). 

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 cost just $1.50.

All Waterloo Bucks games can be heard online at waterloobucks.com with Jared Shlensky. ​