Thunder Bay, ON – The Waterloo Bucks accepted their first losing road trip of the 2025 season with an 8-5 stumble to the Thunder Bay Border Cats at Port Arthur Stadium on Friday, June 20.
Waterloo jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the top of the third with two-run frames in the first and third innings. However, for just the fourth time this season, the Bucks lost their lead and ultimately lost the contest.
Jake Bechtel put the Bucks ahead in the top of the first with a two-run base hit into center field with two outs. For just the second time this season, Waterloo struck first in the contest and ended up falling, bringing their record in those circumstances to 12-2. Both times they lost in these situations was when they were playing the Border Cats.
Brody Leyboldt and Sam Finn drove in the only other runs of the day for the Bucks on base hits.
Brandon Rice and Aidan Elfering each struck out three and allowed only one run a piece out of the bullpen for Waterloo en route to combining for 5.2 IP.
Bechtel led all Bucks with two hits, and Marcus Heusohn led the team with two runs scored, extending his on-base streak to 21 games by walking multiple times for the tenth time this year and earning a hit. Ian Halverson also reached base safely thrice with three walks, and Jimmy Nugent and Bennett Fryman also entered the hit column.
The Bucks return home for the start of a four-game homestand starting tomorrow, Saturday, June 21, when the team plays the Mankato MoonDogs at 6:35 pm (CDT) at Riverfront Stadium.