MANKATO, Minn.- The Waterloo Bucks (35-27) offense exploded for three home runs in an 11-2 blowout win over the Mankato MoonDogs (36-24) to force a series split.

The Bucks wasted no time against the MoonDogs starting pitcher Ricky Digrugilliers (4-4) with an RBI single by Zach Malis through the right side of the infield to strike first. The next batter, Brandon Gutzler placed a two-run double to left center and then Jake Viaene launched an RBI double making it 4-0 Bucks after the first inning. 

Zachary McLeod racked up four strikeouts in four and two-thirds innings of work so Matthew Perea (4-0) earned the win out of the bullpen.

The score remained 4-0 until Charlie Concannon tripled down the right field line in the top of the seventh and then scored on a throwing error during the same play extending the Bucks lead to 6-0.

Mankato loaded up the bases a couple times and brought across a run in the bottom of the seventh but the Bucks answered right back the next half inning. Drew Greenwood and Nikola Mislinski both blasted two-run homers over the left field wall.

The MoonDogs kept fighting in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single from Alberto Rubalcaba but Charlie Concannon did not let that run go unaswered in the top of the ninth as he cranked a solo shot for the first time this season. Concannon finished just a double away from hitting for the cycle.

The Bucks get a much deserved off-day tomorrow and are back in action Thursday, August 3 playing host to the Willmar Stingers at Riverfront Stadium with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m.

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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.