Waterloo and Eau Claire continue their four-game series on Saturday in Wisconsin.
Game 1 Box Score: http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=372477
Game 2 Box Score: http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=317185
By: Jared Shlensky
WATERLOO, Iowa – After being washed out on Thursday, Waterloo and Eau Claire played a doubleheader on Friday, with the Bucks being swept by the Express. Waterloo has now lost a season-high seven straight games after failing in game one, 12-5, before dropping game two, 4-1.
Waterloo (9-20, 31-33) had its first five hitters reach in the bottom of the first and scored four runs in the frame to take an early 4-0 lead. Alex Boxwell recorded the first hit of the game with an infield single before Zach Weatherford reached on the first of three errors by the Express.
Lane Milligan loaded the bases with a single to center before Adam McGinnis put the Bucks in front by a pair with a two-run single to right. A throwing error by Jon Roblez on a potential double play allowed Milligan to score from third and allowed Robert Neustrom to reach base. Zach Fricke then reached on a fielder’s choice, however, the third and final error of the inning by Eau Claire brought home McGinnis from second.
Eau Claire (16-12, 41-23) countered with a four-spot in the top of the second to tie the game at 4-4. Jared Mang and Rudy Rott opened the inning with back-to-back singles before Mickey McDonald brought around Mang from second with an RBI single to right. Zach Ashford made it a two-run game with an RBI single to right before Sam Hurt tied the game with a two-out, two-run double to right-center.
The Express went in front of the Bucks, 10-4, with a six-run top of the fourth. Rott was hit in the shoulder to start the inning before McDonald singled to center. A fielder’s choice moved both runners up a base before a passed ball scored Rott for the first run of the inning. A wild pitch scored McDonald for the second run of the inning before Daulton Varsho made it an 8-4 game with a two-run single. Mang then extended the Express’ lead to six with a two-run double.
The Bucks cut the Eau Claire lead to five with a two-out run in bottom of the fourth. Fricke and Justin Beck each singled to begin the inning before a fielder’s choice advanced both runners. Two batters later, Weatherford brought in Fricke with an RBI infield single.
Eau Claire scored the game’s final two runs in the fifth. An RBI fielder’s choice scored McDonald to make it 11-5 before Varsho’s two-out RBI single to right increased the Express’ lead to 12-5.
Bryce Reichmann (2-2) was charged with the loss in game one. The southpaw allowed seven runs on seven hits, walking none and striking out two in 3 1/3 innings.
Roblez (3-0) earned the win in game one. Roblez yielded five runs (three earned) on 10 hits, walking and striking out one.
Eau Claire scored first again in game two with two runs in the top of the third. Hurt led off the inning with a single to left before Zach Ashford delivered an RBI triple down the right field line, putting the Express up 1-0. Kyle Marinconz doubled Eau Claire’s lead to 2-0 with a sacrifice fly to center.
The Express extended their lead to 4-0 with two more runs in the top of the fourth. Mang and McDonald reached on back-to-back singles to start the inning, giving Eau Claire two on with no outs. Hurt followed with a two-run double to right, plating both Mang and McDonald.
McGinnis cut the deficit to three with a solo home run to center to begin the bottom of the fourth. The home run for McGinnis was his team-leading 11th and was just one of two hits in game two for the Bucks.
Kyle Leahy (1-1) dropped his first game in his second start with Waterloo. The right-hander went the entire seven innings, allowing four runs on nine hits while walking and striking out a pair.
Jameson Lavery (2-1) recorded the win in game two. The right-hander allowed just one run on two hits, walking three and striking out three in five innings. Christian Tripp (9) secured the win with a perfect seventh inning, which included a pair of strikeouts.
Waterloo and Eau Claire resume their four-game series on Saturday in Wisconsin. First pitch from Carson Park is at 6:35 p.m. with RHP Brett Solano (5-5, 4.52) opposing the Express’ RHP Michael Gomez (1-2, 4.82).
Waterloo returns home on Monday for a two-game homestand against the Thunder Bay Border Cats. First pitch in the series opener is at 7:05 p.m. Monday’s game is another Buck Night at Riverfront Stadium. 10 oz. draft beer, 12 oz. fountain soda, small popcorn and ice cream sandwiches cost $1.00 while hot dogs are just $1.50.
All Waterloo Bucks games can be heard online at waterloobucks.com with Jared Shlensky.