Zach Jarrett doubled in a pair of runners and scored twice while Brent Jurceka tossed 3 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings in a 5-3 win.
By: Matt Gruemmer, Waterloo Bucks
ALEXANDRIA, Minn. – The Waterloo Bucks earned the season-opening series sweep over the Alexandria Blue Anchors with a 5-3 win Wednesday night at Knute Nelson Memorial Park. Zach Jarrett drew two walks, scored twice and drove in a pair of runs while pitcher Brent Jurceka did not allow a hit over 3 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen in the win. Bucks hitters coaxed nine base on balls, but left 11 men on the base paths in the winning effort. Eric Veglahn started on the mound for Waterloo and surrendered three runs on nine hits before exiting after 5 1/3 frames hurled against the Anchors. The win marks the eighth over Alexandria in the last 10 meetings between the two clubs, and it gave the Bucks a 2-0 start to the 2015 campaign.
Zach Jarrett got Waterloo on the board in the third frame with a two-out single up the middle to centerfield. The drive brought in Luke Stratman and Joseph Shepherd to give Waterloo the 2-0 lead.
Alexandria responded in the bottom of the third with two runs off a one-out single delivered by Gabriel Hernandez to make it a 2-2 game. On the play, Hernandez was thrown out at second base by Jarrett, the Bucks’ leftfielder, trying to stretch the RBI single into a double.
Waterloo regained the lead in the fourth when Stratman was brought in on a Joseph Shepherd RBI double into deep right-center. Stratman began the inning with a walk, and later scored to move the game to 3-2.
Mitch Heid tied the game 3-3 for the Blue Anchors in the sixth with a two-out RBI single to centerfield. The hit marked the last batter faced for Waterloo starting pitcher Eric Veglahn.
Veglahn tossed 5 1/3 innings as the starting pitcher for the Bucks. The southpaw gave up three runs on nine Alexandria hits while striking out three in the no-decision.
Brent Jurceka came on to pitch with two outs and a man on first base in the sixth, and he struck out the first batter he faced to get out of the jam. Jurceka walked one, gave up zero hits and retired seven consecutive Blue Anchor hitters before securing the win for the Bucks.
Waterloo responded in the seventh with an Alex Boxwell single on the ground to center that brought Jarrett in to score. The two-out run-batted-in made it a 4-3 advantage for the Bucks after Jarrett led-off the frame with his second walk of the evening.
Jarrett led-off with a base on balls again in the ninth and later scored on Matthew Stemper’s sacrifice fly ball to right field. The relay throw from the Alexandria right fielder was late and allowed Jarrett to make the score 5-3 with an insurance run in the final inning.
Waterloo relievers allowed just two hits over 7 1/3 innings pitched on the road trip to Alexandria.
The Bucks head back to Waterloo for their home opener Thursday night from Riverfront Stadium beginning at 7:05 p.m.
It’s a Thirsty Thursday where fans get 20 oz. bottles of water, 24 oz. fountain soda, 12 oz. regular draft beer, and small popcorn for just $2.00 each! The Bucks will also have a gate giveaway for every Thursday game, sponsored by Q92.3. It’s also Opening Day! Presented by Beck’s Sports Brewery & Hurricane Grill & Wings, the first 500 fans through the gate will receive a free ‘Fear the Deer’ T-shirt to kick off the Bucks season.
There will also be a Magnet Schedule Giveaway presented by Adrenaline X Laser Tag. The first 1,000 fans through the gate will receive a free Bucks Magnet Schedule. A Post-Game Fireworks Extravaganza is presented to you by The Home Depot. Fireworks will begin following the game. Fireworks shows are VERY popular so make sure to get your tickets now!
Tickets are available at waterloobucks.com. You can also visit the Bucks Ticket Office at Riverfront Stadium or call 319-232-5633.
Bucks games are broadcast live on waterloobucks.com
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The Waterloo Bucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.waterloobucks.com.
