Waterloo, IA – The Bucks thrashed Thunder Bay and scored a season-high 17 runs behind four doubles and four RBIs from Colin Coonradt and four hits and three RBIs for MJ Sweeney in a 17-11 victory to clinch a series win against the Border Cats Monday night.
Going for their fifth win against Thunder Bay, the Bucks got the ball rolling in the bottom of the first inning. Colin Coonradt doubled to left with one out, then MJ Sweeney spanked a single to left to bring in the run to give the Bucks a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the second inning, the Border Cats had a response. With two outs, a walk and two hit-by-pitches loaded the bases before one more walk forced in a run to even the tally 1-1.
In the top of the fourth, Thunder Bay took the lead. Hayden Crites led off with a single, then moved up on a double. Two batters later, Mark Ross II lifted a sacrifice fly to push the Cats in front 2-1.
In the home half of the fourth, Waterloo’s offense exploded. Two singles opened the frame, then Iliff scored on a fielding error to level the score at 2-2. With two outs and the bases loaded, two runs scored on a throwing error to put the Bucks ahead, 4-2. A hit by pitch loaded the bases again for Coonradt who cleared the bags with a double to spring the lead to 7-2. A walk and a double steal set the stage for Sweeney who smoked a single to right to put the finishing touch on the inning to make it 9-2.
In the top of the fifth, Thunder Bay crawled closer. A hit by pitch and a single let Alex Kean lift a sac fly to center to chip the lead to 9-3. After a walk, a bloop single plated a run to chisel the lead to 9-4. During the next at bat, Hayden Crites stole home to make it 9-5.
In the home half of the sixth, Waterloo blew the game open with another eight run inning. Although the Borde Cats made it close late, the Bucks set a new season high with 17 runs scored to clinch a 3-1 series win over Thunder Bay in a game that ended 17-11 in favor of Waterloo.
With the win, the Bucks go to 18-22 overall and 4-2 in the second half of the season. With the All-Star break coming up, the Bucks get three days off. Colin Coonradt will represent Waterloo in both the Home Run Derby on Tuesday night and the All-Star Game on Wednesday Waterloo’s next game is Friday, July 10th in Duluth, Minnesota.