Early Offense Gives Bucks Fourth-Straight Win [Video]

The Waterloo Bucks utilized eight runs in the first three innings that propelled them to a 10-4 finish over the Mankato MoonDogs at Riverfront Stadium Friday night (May 29, 2015).

Starting pitcher Tyler Day (Stephen F. Austin) picked up the win over 6 2/3 innings of four-run baseball. The Bucks tallied nine hits in the game to move their record to 4-0 to start the 2015 season. The win also marked the fourth straight game where Zach Jarrett has tallied an extra-base hit and a run-batted-in.

For the fourth consecutive game, the Bucks were the first team to score. This time, Waterloo plated two runs in the opening frame when Taylor Boyd (St. Joseph’s) and Mikal Hill (Winston-Salem St.) came around to score. Jarrett brought in Boyd with an infield single to third base, and Hill crossed the plate when Tyler Selesky (Florida Gulf Coast) brought him in on a sacrifice fly to centerfield.

Matthew Stemper (Minnesota) made it a 3-0 Waterloo lead in the second when he scored on a Boyd sacrifice bunt placed in between first base and the pitcher’s mound.

Jarrett made it a four-run lead in the third with his second homerun of the season, a towering blast over the wall in left. Alex Boxwell’s (Minnesota) single to right field brought Selesky around for a 5-0 advantage later in the inning. After Stemper reached base via a fielder’s choice in the next at-bat, Stratman crushed a three-run homer over the right field wall to make it an 8-0 Waterloo lead.

Mankato grabbed a run back in the top of the fifth when Jesus Carrera (Southeastern CC) scored after reaching on an infield error to make it 8-1.

Selesky responded quickly for the Bucks in the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff walk, and later scored off an Alex Boxwell groundball to the corner at first base to push the lead to 9-1.

The MoonDogs sent three across in the seventh to make it a 9-4 game with aid from a two-run Joey Rodriguez (Cypress CC) double and a run-scoring single off the bat of Brinn Bell (St. Ambrose).

Bucks’ starter Tyler Day (1-0) exited with two outs in the seventh, and surrendered four runs on seven hits over the span of 6 2/3 innings while striking out four and walking three in the winning start.

Joe Martinson (Minnesota) came to the mound to retire the side in the seventh and pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief for the Bucks. The right-hander surrendered one hit in his Waterloo debut.

The Bucks added one more run in the bottom of the eighth when leadoff man Alex Boxwell scored on a Boyd double to deep right-center. The score made it a 10-4 game heading to the final inning.

Nathan Spielvogel (Marrimack College) closed the ninth inning for Waterloo on the mound and gave up one hit in his lone inning of work to secure the 10-4 Waterloo victory.

The Bucks hit the road Saturday for a two-game series against the Duluth Huskies. Waterloo returns home Monday to open the month of June with two games against the St. Cloud Rox.

On June 1st, it’s a Buck Night at Riverfront Stadium. Fans can get regular hot dogs for just $1.50, plus 10 oz. draft beer, 12 oz. sodas, small popcorn, and ice cream sandwiches for just $1 each, sponsored by K98.5.

It will also be Pink Out Night. The Bucks are helping raise breast cancer awareness.

Proceeds from the 50/50 raffle will be benefitting the Beyond Pink TEAM. Members from the Beyond Pink TEAM will be giving out Pink Ribbon Tattoos. The Bucks will also be wearing special ‘Pink Out’ jerseys, which will be sold via silent auction during the game with all proceeds benefitting the Beyond Pink TEAM.

Tickets are available at waterloobucks.com. You can also visit the Bucks Ticket Office at Riverfront Stadium or call 319-232-5633.