La Crosse, WI – The Waterloo Bucks (1–3) broke into the win column for the first time in 2023 on Thursday, beating the La Crosse Loggers (3–1) by a score of 7–5.

Bucks starting pitcher Patrick Mastrian pitched a gem in his first appearance with the team, striking out ten batters through 6.2 innings. Mastrian threw a whopping 113 pitches to get the job done.

Outfielder Blake Burris put the Bucks up early in the top of the first, scoring after an attempted steal of third where the throw to the plate went wide. Bucks struck again in the third inning when Burris and infielder Brodie Kresser hit home runs on two consecutive at-bats.

The Loggers got two runs back in the fourth innings, but the Bucks’ lead jumped up to five in the top of the ninth when infielder Drake Wescott highlighted a four run inning with his bases-clearing three-RBI double.

However, the Loggers bounced back once again, hitting a three-run double of their own and drawing a walk to put the game-winning run up to bat. Fortunately, Loggers catcher Jack Collins batted into a fielder’s choice for the final out of the game.

The Bucks will look to continue building momentum as they return home for their series against the Thunder Bay Border Cats (3–1). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.