Bucks Held To Season-Low Hits In Fourth-Straight Loss [Video]

The Waterloo Bucks could not find ways to get on base in their fourth consecutive loss, an 11-1 defeat against the Willmar Stingers at Riverfront Stadium Friday night (July 25, 2015).

Brian Kehner (Presbyterian) was simply sensational against Waterloo’s offense, holding the Bucks (28-28/10-10) to just two hits over seven frames of one-run baseball in the sparkling start.

Taylor Lane (Florida) provided the only score for the home team in the bottom of the second inning when he singled and came across on two Willmar errors. Frank Rubio (1-2) (Florida) took the loss after being charged with four runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings on the mound.

The Bucks’ bullpen, again, struggled to stifle the Stingers’ swingers late, surrendering seven runs over 2 1/3 innings from the seventh inning on forward. The sweep at Riverfront gave Willmar a 4-2 season-series while it forced Waterloo to a fourth straight setback in front of its home crowd.

The Stingers (36-18/13-7) put up two runs early in the top of the first after Sean Beesley (Illinois St.) was hit by a pitch and Storm Wilson (Kentucky) received a base on balls. Then, two singles gave Willmar a 2-0 lead and all the scoring they would need in the game.

After Billy Quirke (Triton) singled and scored in the second for the Stingers, the Bucks answered for their only score in the bottom of the frame. Lane led-off the inning with a single up the middle and later came in on errant ground balls hit to the middle of the infield by Zach Soria (Florida International) and Matthew James (Illinois) to make it a 3-1 score.

Rubio exited following a fly out and base hit in the top of the seventh. After the hit he surrendered would score, the starter’s final tally included four runs on seven hits along with one strikeout and one walk in his second straight losing start.

Nathan Spielvogel (Merrimack) toed the hill to relieve the starter in the seventh and was charged with one run allowed on back-to-back doubles after recording the final two outs of the frame.

Six runs came through for the Stingers in a disastrous eighth inning for the Waterloo bullpen. Nick Newman (St. Cloud St.) gave up five earned runs on three hits before recording his only putout while leaving the bases loaded.

Ryan McCourt (Coffeyville CC) had the tough task of cleaning up the mess in the eighth and yielded one run on two hits and a base on balls before getting out of the eighth inning with the Stingers in front, 11-1.

Andrew Muehlberger (Coffeyville CC) was a bright spot on the hill for Waterloo, posting a scoreless ninth inning of relief that featured one walk over the four batters he faced. The Bucks rallied for a walk and single with two outs, but could not complete the improbable comeback in their last chance at the plate.

The Bucks finish the home stand with game three of the SCHEELS Highway 63 Cup series against Rochester at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday.

Join Waterloo for Star Wars Night, when the force will, hopefully, be with the Bucks at this special game. Fans are invited to come dressed as their favorite Star Wars characters as players from the 501st Central Garrison will be on hand for photos. The Bucks are also wearing special ‘Star Wars’ themed jerseys that will be sold during the game via a silent auction, with proceeds benefitting the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

It will also be Secret Envelope Night! The first 500 fans through the gate will receive a secret envelope that contains a prize courtesy of the Bucks. The catch? The envelope must be opened by the staff member at the Guest Services table at a different Bucks home game. Envelopes cannot be returned at the Friday, August 7th game. Join us for a fireworks show following the Bucks game as well.

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.

Story By: Matt Gruemmer