The Bucks team that took the field Thursday night against Alexandria was a different one than had played the previous two games of the season.
That is not referencing the recent roster additions, of which there were several. No, this team looks different in their style of play. Confident swings at the plate, aggressiveness on the base paths and stellar defensive play, capped off by lights out bullpen work, led to a blowout victory for the Bucks.
The same Bucks squad that struck out 14 times on Wednesday night went on to strike out only three times Thursday. They showed far better plate discipline, as they walked seven times
The Bucks notched their second victory of the season on Thursday night, taking down the Alexandria Blue Anchors 12-1. The Bucks offense erupted for 10 runs between the fourth and six innings, scoring four in the fourth inning and three in each of the fifth and sixth frames.
Cody Sedlock was the winning pitcher of note for Waterloo, giving up just one run over five innings. Sedlock mixed his pitches well and did not allow solid contact to Anchors hitters.
Not to cast aside Sedlock's performance, which was very solid, but the story of the night from the mound has to be the work of the bullpen. Mario Leon and and J.D. Moore combined for five strikeouts and allowed no base runners in their four innings of relief work.
Logan Sherer had a huge night at the plate, as he laced two doubles en route to a four hit game. He set the tone for the Bucks offense, driving in six runs and scoring four times himself. Bucks outfielder Patrick Fiala ripped his first home run of the season in the second inning, as well. The blast was the second of the season for the Bucks.
Alexandria's starter Blake Bass took the loss for the Blue Anchors. He gave up four runs before being pulled in the fifth. His replacement, Ryan Froom, allowed six more runs in the next two innings.
The win improves the Bucks to 2-1 and drops Alexandria to 0-3. The two teams square off again at 7:05 Friday night at Riverfront Stadium.
