EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – With the Waterloo Bucks (1-5) trailing by two runs in the top of the ninth inning the Eau Claire Express (5-1) allowed two runners to reach. That’s when Express pitcher Adam Stanton spiked a pitch, and it got away from the catcher.

After a blowout 13-run loss on Friday night, the Bucks looked to respond with Ernie Day starting on the mound, the talent for Waterloo who has gotten pitches up to 97mph on his fastball. But before Day took the mound his offense helped him out with three hits in the top of the first to take an early 1-0 lead.

The Express were quick to respond as an RBI-fielder’s choice scored the tying run. The Bucks were quick to respond as Caleb Hill laced a single into centerfield to reclaim the lead 2-1. However, after stranding runners at the corners in the fourth, that’s all the offense the Bucks would get for the next five innings as Express started Jack Brown, and reliever Adam Stanton combined to get the next 13 batters out in a row.

The Express pushed across three runs in the fifth that ended up being the difference-maker. Despite only two hits allowed in the inning, two hit batters by Bucks relief pitcher Jalen Martinez came back to bite the Bucks when Ben Taxdahl hit a 2-RBI single for his first base hit of the season to claim the lead 4-2.

The top of the ninth inning featured the last chance in the ballgame for the Waterloo Bucks and it got the Express fans still in attendance on the edge of their seats. The Bucks and Adam Stanton alternated baserunners and strikeouts. With two outs and runners on first and second, Brodie Kresser stepped into the batter’s box with a chance to tie the game, the first pitch of the at-bat got away as the tying run moved into scoring position.

However, Kresser would strike out to end the ballgame giving the Express the 4-2 victory. With the loss, the Bucks fall to 1-5 and are four games back on the subdivision-leading Eau Claire Express. The Bucks have a chance to avenge the two-game sweep to the Express when they visit Riverfront Stadium on Sunday afternoon and Monday evening.

You can purchase tickets by visiting waterloobucks.com, both games will be streamed live on Watch NWL. First pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 2:35 p.m.