The Waterloo Bucks opened their season with a come-from-behind, 5-4 victory over the St. Cloud Rox at Riverfront Stadium Tuesday night (May 30, 2017).

A four-run sixth inning gave the Bucks a lead they would not relinquish. An insurance run in the seventh also proved to be critical for Waterloo (1-0).

Trailing 3-0, the Bucks loaded the bases against St. Cloud reliever Louis Pugliese (0-1). He walked Deion Thompson, which allowed Waterloo to score its first run of the game. Brent Killiam inherited a bases loaded jam when he replaced Pugliese on the mound. A two-out balk by Killiam accounted for the Bucks' second run, before Ben Sellers connected for a two-run single up-the-middle to put Waterloo ahead 4-3.

The Bucks added to their lead in the seventh when Jay Schuyler's run-scoring single to right field built Waterloo's advantage to 5-3.

Before the rally, Rox starter Jack Cushing had the Bucks figured out. He threw five innings, struck out nine batters and didn’t allow any runs.

St. Cloud (0-1) opened the scoring in the third inning, plating two runs on Matt Tarantino's double down the left field line. The Rox extended their advantage to 3-0 two frames later on a fifth inning, running-scoring single. The base hit ended the night for Waterloo starting pitching Jared Crescentini, who surrendered the three runs (all earned) while giving up five hits and striking out six batters.

The Bucks bullpen took over from there. Zach Siggelkow, Nathan Walker and Alec Hernandez all took turns on the mound. Siggelkow (1-0) worked his way out of a pair of jams during his two innings of work and recorded the victory. Hernandez (1) surrendered a run in the ninth inning and allowed the game-tying run to reach second base, but the St. Cloud threat ended with a game-ending strike out.

UP NEXT: The Bucks complete their two-game home series against St. Cloud, hosting the Rox again at 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday (May 31) at Riverfront Stadium.

Story Contributor: Danny Frey - Waterloo Bucks

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