WATERLOO, IOWA- A six-run bottom of the second inning was too much for the Bismarck Larks (7-9) to overcome as the Waterloo Bucks (12-4) win their fifth game in a row 8-4. The Bucks took game one earlier in the day 2-1 to complete the series sweep.
The Larks struck first when the Bucks starting pitcher Ryan Dunne walked in a run in the top of the second inning. Waterloo answered and then some in the bottom of the second. Joe Genord in his Bucks and Northwoods League debut crushed a solo homer to left field in his very first at bat tying the game up.
With the bases loaded, Korry Howell singled to right field handing the Bucks their first lead of the night. Ian Nelson was up next and he cleared the bases with a three-run double to the gap in left center. Jay Schuyler joined the party with an RBI single pushing the Bucks lead out to 6-1.
The Larks proved they wouldn't back down as they answered in the top of the third on an RBI sacrifice fly by Mason Pierzchalski and an RBI infield single legged out by Scooter Bynum.
Ian Nelson delivered again in the bottom of the fourth with another RBI double this time to right field. A couple batters later, Zach Malis his a bouncer to right side that on a fielder's choice plated another Bucks run to make it 8-3 Waterloo after four innings.
It was a pitcher by committee for the Bucks as they called upon Alec Hernandez (1-0) to relieve Ryan Dunne after he tossed three innings. Hernandez lasted 2.2 inning and did not surrender an earned run.
From the seventh inning on it was pretty much cruise control for the Bucks as they handed the Larks their fourth straight loss.
The Bucks have a much deserved off day tomorrow before returning to Riverfront Stadium on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. to open up a two game series against the Thunder Bay Border Cats.
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The Waterloo Bucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 23-year-old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 160 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM) and Lucas Duda (NYM). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.waterloobucks.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Bucks as your favorite team.