The Waterloo Bucks (29-28, 9-12) drew a season-high 17 walks in a 14-7 victory over the Duluth Huskies (25-32, 12-9) late Saturday evening. Four Bucks walked three times, two walked twice, each starter recorded a hit and all but one scored a run in a game that lasted three hours and fifty-five minutes.
Second-inning bases-loaded walks worked by Tony Jenkins (1-4, 3 BB, 2 R, 2B, 4 RBI, SB) and Bennett Hostetler (1-3, 3 BB, R, RBI) plated birthday boy Kyler Arenado (3-6, 3 R, 2B, RBI) and Mike Nyisztor (2-3, 2 BB, HBP, 2 R, RBI), handing the Bucks a 2-0 lead. Duluth tied the game in the third, preempting a seven-run Waterloo half.
Blake Wagenseller (2-3, 3 BB, 2 R) walked to open the third inning, then Arenado singled following a flyout. Alonzo Rubalcaba (1-6, R) bounced a grounder to the right side that Duluth’s first baseman threw into left field, allowing Wagenseller to score. One out later, Ethan Copeland (1-3, 3 BB, 2 R) drew a walk to load the bases for Jenkins. The Bucks’ centerfielder hammered a three-run double to right-center, then scored on a wild pitch soon thereafter.
Already ahead 9-2 in the fifth, Wagenseller and Kevin Blum (1-5, BB, R, SB) rapped back-to-back singles with one out. Arenado doubled in Blum after Wagenseller scored on a wild pitch, then Nyisztor singled home Blum with two outs. Copeland, Jenkins and Hostetler drew three straight walks to load the bases with Nyisztor coming home on a wild pitch during Jenkins’ plate appearance. With the bases full, Patrick Ferguson (1-4, 2 BB, 2B, 3 RBI) doubled down the right field line, plating all three runners.
Luke Mattson received a no-decision after tossing 4.2 innings of eight-hit baseball. Striking out three and walking none, Mattson allowed three runs, two earned. Jimmy Smiley earned the win with 1.1 scoreless, striking out one.
Righthander Jack Dolak impressed over his 2.0 shutout frames of relief, striking out two with six whiffs on 24 pitches.
The Bucks and Duluth continue their series on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. in Waterloo.
