Frank Rubio (Florida) held the Blue Anchors scoreless over 7 1/3 innings to pick up his first win of the year.
By: Matt Gruemmer, Waterloo Bucks
WATERLOO, Iowa – The Waterloo Bucks (26-24/8-6) utilized five scattered runs to back up the strong performance of Frank Rubio (Florida) in a 5-0 shutout of the Alexandria Blue Anchors (19-30/7-7) Tuesday afternoon at Riverfront Stadium. Coming off back-to-back starts featuring five earned runs allowed each, Rubio was phenomenal over 7 1/3 frames throughout the noon game, squandering seven hits in the sweep of Alexandria.
Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) continued his impressive home stand, pacing the Waterloo order with two RBIs, a run scored and a double. Bryan Polowy (North Central) escaped a bases-loaded situation in the top of the eighth and secured the win with a pickoff move for the game-ending putout in relief as the Bucks captured their fifth shutout effort of the season.
Tyler Selesky (Florida Gulf Coast) sent the Bucks in front, 1-0, in the bottom of the first inning on a double steal. After reaching on a lead-off error in left, Selesky took home when Taylor Boyd (St. Joseph’s) coaxed a throw to the second base bag. The throw back to the plate was on target to tag out Selesky after Boyd’s stolen bag, but the ball was dropped to give Waterloo its slimmest margin of the game.
Boxwell (Minnesota) made it a 2-0 advantage in the second frame when Zach Soria (Florida International) plated him with a single into shallow right field. Beginning the inning with a lead-off walk, Boxwell scored on the hit for his third run of the two-game series.
Waterloo piled on three more runs in the bottom of the sixth after Zach McKinstry (Central Michigan) and Taylor Lane (Florida) drew bases on balls to open the frame. Next, Jonah (Bride) singled in McKinstry before Boxwell doubled down the right field line to bring in a pair for the 5-0 advatange.
Rubio exited his strong start after the Blue Anchors first two hitters found their way on base. Following 7 1/3 innings on the mound, Rubio ended the day with just seven hits allowed, two strikeouts and no walks.
Polowy entered from the bullpen in the eighth to maintain the shutout and got out of a bases-loaded frame with a comeback-grounder to the mound. The right-handed reliever allowed one hit and one walk before making the game-ending putout with a pickoff move to second base in the Bucks’ 5-0 victory.
After a day off on Wednesday, the Bucks travel to Thunder Bay for a two-game series beginning Thursday at 5:05 p.m. (CT) at Port Arthur Stadium.
Waterloo returns home next on Friday, July 18, to face the Duluth Huskies at 5:05 p.m. (CT). Join the Bucks after the game for a rockin’ concert on the field performed by country artist, and Iowa native, Neil Hewitt!
Then, presented by Hawkeye Community College, join us for a fireworks show following the Bucks game on Saturday! 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.
