Waterloo continues its four-game homestand on Saturday vs. the Willmar Stingers
Box Score: http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=317022
By: Jared Shlensky
WATERLOO, Iowa – An eight-run fourth inning and six strong innings from Brett Solano carried Waterloo to a 9-3 win over the Duluth Huskies on Friday night. Tonight’s win snapped a season-high four-game losing streak for the Bucks and improves the team’s record to 15-6 in the last game of a series.
Duluth (4-6, 21-25) took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the first. Daniel Amaral began the game with an infield single to the third, however, a throwing error by Tyler Curtis allowed Amaral to move up to second on the play. Two batters later, Carter Hanford brought in Amaral with an RBI single to left.
Waterloo (5-5, 27-18) tied the game at 1-1 with a run in the second. Adam McGinnis doubled down the right field line to begin the frame before Curtis singled to left, giving the Bucks runners on the corners. Travon Benton followed Curtis with a sacrifice fly to right in his first at-bat of the year, bringing home McGinnis from third.
The Bucks took a comfortable 9-1 lead after brining 11 to the plate and bringing around a season-high eight runs in the bottom of the fourth. Robert Neustrom led off the inning with a single to center before McGinnis gave Waterloo a pair of runners in scoring position with his second double on the night. Curtis then drew a walk to load the bases before Benton recorded his second RBI of the evening with a bases-loaded walk. Jake Hand made it a 3-1 game with an RBI fielder’s choice, however, a throwing error by shortstop Liam Sabino allowed Curtis to score from second, extending the Bucks’ lead to four. Zach Fricke then pulled a single into right, giving the Bucks runners on first and second. Matt Morrow loaded the bases for Waterloo after reaching on a fielder’s choice. A wild pitch brought Hand home from third to put the Bucks in front by four. Alex Boxwell followed Morrow with a walk, loading the bases for the third time in the inning. Brody Weiss increased the Waterloo lead to 6-1 with a sacrifice fly to deep left, scoring Fricke from third. Neustrom put the Bucks up by eight with a two-out, three-run home run to right center.
The Huskies trimmed the Bucks’ lead to six with two runs in the sixth. Hanford doubled for his second hit of the game before Jake Pries belted a two-run home run to left, making it 9-3.
Solano (4-3) retired 10 in a row at one point and allowed just three runs on seven hits, walking none and striking out four over six innings. Trevor Patterson, Andy Muehlberger and Jonathan Buckley each tossed one scoreless inning in relief.
Alex Ferguson (1-2) was charged with the loss. The right-hander yielded six runs (five earned) on six hits, striking out one and walking two over 3 1/3 innings.
The Bucks continue their four-game homestand on Saturday in the series opener vs. Willmar. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. with RHP Steven Baker (1-2, 2.11) getting the start for the Bucks. Willmar has yet to announce their starting pitcher for Saturday’s game.
The Bucks are having a Youth Baseball Camp before Saturday’s game. The camp is open to children ages 17 and under and will begin at noon at renovated Riverfront Stadium. The cost to attend is $20 per person. Bucks players will run the camp. Individuals interested in attending the clinic may arrive at 11:45 am on the day of the camp with the entry fee and a baseball glove. Each participant must fill out a Player Information Sheet/Waiver, which will be available on the day of the camp. For more information, contact the Bucks office at (319) 232-0500. Camp participants will receive a ticket to that night’s game.
Saturday’s game is also a Post-Game Fireworks Extravaganza, a Big Bucks Cash Giveaway and UNI Panther Pride Night. The first 500 fans to Riverfront Stadium receive a free purple T-Shirt while five fans who register for the Big Bucks Cash Giveaway will receive $100, courtesy of U.S. Bank.
All Waterloo Bucks games can be heard online at waterloobucks.com with Jared Shlensky.
