Duluth, MN – Waterloo trailed by four runs before the Bucks scored two in the eighth and three in the ninth to flip the game on its head. Colin Coonradt had the go-ahead RBI single to set up Sam Hanson for his first save of the year in a 7-6 win in game one of the series in Duluth. 

After falling behind early in the last two games at home, the Bucks leaped in front in the top of the first inning. Mitchell Ififf reached on a fielder’s choice, then MJ Sweeney launched a home run to right to jump Waterloo ahead 2-0. 

In the bottom of the third, the Huskies got those runs back. Two singles by Isaiah Ibarra and Manny Dorantes led off the frame in front of George McIntyre, who was hit by a pitch. Back-to-back bases-loaded walks brought in Ibarra and Dorantes to even the tally at 2-2. 

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Duluth snatched the lead back. Two singles led off the frame, then a hit by pitch loaded the bases. 

In the top of the eighth, the Bucks chipped away at the lead. Mycah Jordan and Chase Porter both walked before Jordan scored on a wild pitch to make it 6-3. Iliff singled, then Sweeney lifted a sac fly to center to plate Porter to chisel the lead to 6-4. 

In the top of the ninth, Waterloo leaped back in front. Caleb Seibers singled to get the inning going, then Tayvon Homolar and Zach Davis were hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jordan hit into a fielder’s choice to bring Seibers in to make it 6-5. One batter later, Colin Coonradt ripped a single to right to spring the Bucks to the advantage, 7-6. 

In the bottom of the ninth, Sam Hanson came out of the bullpen to slam the door shut and earn his first win of the season for Waterloo in the victory. 

With the win, the Bucks go to 12-19 on the season and 2-1 against Duluth this year. Game two of the series is scheduled for 3:05 pm on Saturday afternoon. Both starters in the game are TBD.

https://northwoodsleague.com/baseball/game/?id=6024