Waterloo ended its season-high six-game home losing streak on Monday night  

Box Score: http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=317213

By: Jared Shlensky

WATERLOO, Iowa – Despite allowing four runs in the top of the ninth, Waterloo hung on to take the series opener over the Thunder Bay Border Cats, 7-6 on Monday night. Monday’s win snapped a season-high six-game home losing streak and pulled the Bucks within four games of the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division with five game remaining in the regular season.

Waterloo (11-21, 33-34) took a 3-0 lead over Thunder Bay on Adam McGinnis’s bases-clearing double in the bottom of the first. Alex Boxwell singled to left for the first hit of the game before Zach Weatherford reached on a bunt single. Lane Milligan then singled to left before McGinnis cleared the bases with a three-run double to right-center field.

Thunder Bay (13-19, 19-47) cut the Bucks’ lead to two with a run in the second. Anthony Brocato led off the inning with a single to center, however, a Waterloo fielding error allowed Brocato to move up to second on the play. Mitch Bigras then pulled a single into right, giving the Border Cats runners on the corners. Gui Gingras followed Bigras with a sacrifice fly, bringing home Brocato for the first Thunder Bay run of the night.

The Bucks put up another three-spot in the fourth, extending their lead to 6-1. Boxwell put Waterloo in front by four with a two-run home run to center before Milligan increased the Bucks’ lead to five with an RBI double to left-center.

Waterloo scored an unearned run in the sixth to go up by six. Brody Weiss led off the inning with his third single of the night before moving to second on Justin Beck’s groundout to the left side. Two batters later, Weatherford reached on a Thunder Bay fielding error, allowing Weiss to score from second.

The Border Cats cut the Bucks’ lead to five with a two-out run in the eighth.  Austin Ledin recorded his first Northwoods League hit with a single to right to start the inning. Ledin then moved up to second on a groundout to the right side before coming around to score on Shane Shepard’s two-out RBI single down the right field line.

Thunder Bay gave Waterloo a scare with a four-run top of the ninth but Waterloo was able to claim the series opener. Bigras drew a leadoff walk before Gingras doubled down into the right field corner, giving the Border Cats a pair of runners in scoring position. Jordan Gillerman cut the deficit to four with a sacrifice fly to right. After moving up to third on Gillerman’s sacrifice fly, Gingras scored on a wild pitch, trimming the Waterloo lead to 7-4. Bobby Fulkerson replaced Ryan Sutterer as a pinch-hitter and drew a walk before Ledin was hit in the back leg. Bobby Honeyman then singled to left, loading the bases for Thunder Bay. Andy Weber reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Fulkerson from third, however, a throwing error by the Bucks on the game-ending double play attempt allowed Ledin to score from second. Derek Hendrixson (7) struck out Shepard on three pitches for the one out save to preserve the win.

Patrick Boyle (5-2) retired the last 12 he faced in a personal-best seven innings. The southpaw allowed just one run on four hits, walking one and striking out five. The Bucks matched a season-high with six stolen bases while Boxwell, Weatherford and Weiss led the offense with three hits each.

Cameron Churchill (3-5) suffered the loss for Thunder Bay. The right-hander went five innings, allowing six run on nine hits. ​

Waterloo continues its two-game homestand on Wednesday in the series finale vs. Thunder Bay. RHP Kyle Leahy (1-1, 4.50) gets the start for the Bucks while the Border Cats counter with RHP Joey Burris (1-6, 4.37).

Wednesday’s game is the last Twins Ticket Giveaway of the season. One lucky fan will win a pair of tickets to an upcoming Minnesota Twins game this season.