2ROCHESTER, Minn. – A night after the Bucks fell by allowing 17 runs, and the game started with a 7-1 Honker lead, it happened again.

The Rochester Honkers (11-15) for the third consecutive game at Mayo Field built a 7-1 lead over the Waterloo Bucks (7-19). However, this time they kept going and held an 8-1 lead after three innings as it was looking like another long game for Waterloo.

But in the fourth, the Bucks got one back off a bases-loaded RBI walk by Tai Walton, but the Honkers returned the favor with a run of their own in the bottom of the fifth to take a 9-2 lead. But just like the game on June 22^nd, the Bucks fought back and fought back hard.

In the top of the sixth, after two quick outs to open the inning, Aaron Ujimori started a two-out rally by securing a single into the outfield. A Kyle Huckstorf double and Tai Walton walk subsequently loaded the bases. Ryan Guardino drew another off Honker pitcher Frank Craska to drive in another run and cut the deficit to six.

Then it was Liam Critchett’s turn. The first baseman had launched two home runs in two days and was looking for at least another RBI in a bases-loaded situation. The California native cranked the first pitch he saw to the apartment building in right field for a grand slam, the first for the Bucks this season. The Bucks only trailed by two, 9-7.

After Bucks reliever Anthony Pron allowed a run in the fifth inning, he shut down the Honkers in the sixth and seventh to give the Bucks a chance to take the lead. And they would get that opportunity in the eighth inning.

Kyle Huckstorf led off the inning with a leadoff moonshot to left field as the Bucks cut the deficit to just one. Walton then doubled and Guardino walked, and that was all Honker manager Andrew Urbistondo needed to see as he pulled pitcher Kevin Dowdell in exchange for reliable closer Thaniel Trumper.

Trumper struck out the first Buck he saw, but after an intentional walk to Jake Wilhoit, it brought up New Mexico State product Ryan Grabosch. The catcher laced a single into center field that easily scored Walton from third, and a risky send of Ryan Guardino with a play at the plate to take the lead.

The throw beat Guardino, but the Tennessee Tech outfielder got around the tag and was ruled safe at the plate. The Bucks led for the first time in the ballgame 10-9.

Blake Benson shut down the Honkers in the bottom half of the inning forcing the Honkers to leave the bases loaded for the fourth time on the night.

After the Bucks couldn’t score insurance in the ninth, it was all up to Grant Hubka to lock down the save and the win for Waterloo. Honkers manager Andrew Urbistondo wouldn’t make it so easy. The first two batters for Rochester were pinch hitters. First was D1 Baseball’s 2^nd Team All-American catcher Michael Carico. Hubka sat him down in five pitches.

The second was Nico Regino, who has been swinging a hot bat for Rochester entering on a five-game hitting streak. He singled to put a runner on. After another strikeout and a couple more Honkers reaching it was up to Tyler White with the bases loaded and two outs.

On a 1-2 count, White swung at the air and the Bucks claimed a seven-run comeback to win 10-9.

It was a rough night on the day for Waterloo despite the win. It left 15 runners on base and committed six errors on the night, a season-high. Anthony Pron got the win out of the bullpen while Grant Hubka earned his second save of the season.

The Bucks look to ride the momentum of their come-from-behind victory on Monday night as they welcome the Mankato MoonDogs to Riverfront Stadium for the first time this season.

You can still purchase tickets to Monday night’s game against the MoonDogs at waterloobucks.com, or by calling the Bucks ticket line. If you can’t make it out to the ballpark you can stream the game for free on Watch NWL.