The Waterloo Bucks (23-14, 0-3) scored three runs late but could not surmount an 11-5 deficit after five in an eventual 11-8 loss to the Mankato MoonDogs (27-9, 3-0) on Thursday evening. Josh Kasevich (3-for-4, BB, RBI) and Garrett McGowan (2-for-4, R, 3 RBI, SB, SF) gave the Bucks multi-hit performances while Chris Seng (1-for-3, BB, HBP, 3 R) scored three runs in the loss. Waterloo and Mankato traded the lead four times in the first three frames before the MoonDogs plated four in the fifth to put the game out of reach.

Seng, Kasevich and McGowan led off the first with three straight singles, the latter of which plated Seng. Cameron Repetti (0-for-4, RBI) scored Kasevich with a groundout, giving Waterloo a 2-0 lead after one.

Mankato struck for four runs in the second, presenting the Bucks with a 4-2 deficit. Johnny Tincher (1-for-4, BB, R, SB) began the home half with a single then stole second. Dalton Chandler (1-for-2, BB, HBP, R, RBI, SB) brought him home with a two-out single, Seng was hit by a pitch then Kasevich tied the game with an RBI single to right. McGowan gave Waterloo the lead right back with a ground ball single smoked through the right side.

The MoonDogs would plate three in the third and added four unearned runs in the fifth.

Max Jung-Goldberg (1-for-4, HBP, R, HR, 2 RBI) blasted a solo home run in the eighth, trimming the deficit to 11-6. The Bucks added two runs in the ninth as Chandler scored on a McGowan sac fly and Seng crossed home as Jung-Goldberg was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, but Mankato escaped the jam and the game with a strikeout to leave them full.

Eli Emerson (2.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, BB, K), Nolan Santos (2.0 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 3 K) and Cameron Hagan (2.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 3 K) combined for 6.0 tremendous innings of relief, surrendering zero earned to close things out.

Waterloo and Mankato are scheduled to close their series on Friday evening at 6:35 p.m. CST in Waterloo.