Waterloo, IA – The Waterloo Bucks (0–2) fought hard to get runners on base in the bottom of the ninth, but still ended up falling to the Rochester Honkers (2–0), 7–3.

Much like their loss on Opening Day, the Bucks had issues on the bump during the middle innings as starting pitcher Andrew Dusablon gave up a pair of RBI hits to give the Honkers a three-run lead. Dusablon was relieved in the sixth inning by Jakob Amado who also gave three runs after facing just his first five batters. Amado would regain his composure and pitch a pair of clean innings in the sixth and seventh frames.

The Bucks showed some life in the bottom of the sixth with RBI-singles from outfielder Marcus Heusohn and infielder Greg Nichols to cut the deficit to four runs. Another run crossed the plate for the Bucks in the seventh inning as outfielder Michael Lippe lined a shot into right field to send infielder Drake Wescott to home.

The Bucks had the bases loaded in both the fifth and seventh innings with two outs before stranding all three runners both times.

Honkers catcher Griffen Sotomayor was strong at the plate against the Bucks’ pitching all game long, going 3-for-5 with 3 RBIs. Sotomayor went 6-for-9 at the plate during the two-game series.

The Bucks will be back in action tomorrow as the travel to La Crosse to take on the Loggers (2-0) at 6:35 p.m.