The Waterloo Bucks (41-24, 18-13) fell 8-2 at the hands of the Eau Claire Express (27-39, 15-19) on Thursday night, splitting their series. Josh Patrick (2-for-4, R, 2B, HR, RBI) and Jackson Lyon (1-for-4, R, HR, RBI) each crushed solo shots to account for the Bucks’ two runs. Waterloo went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position on the night.

Sam Biller (1-for-3, BB, 2B, SB), Luke Fenelly (1-for-4) and Paul Steffensen (1-for-3) added a base hit each.

Thanks to a Mankato loss to Duluth, the Bucks’ magic number remains one as they begin their final regular season series of the summer on Friday night in the Cedar Valley with a 6:35 p.m. CST first pitch against the La Crosse Loggers.