Late Rally Propels Bucks To Fifth-Straight Victory

Waterloo native Zach Fricke completed a come-from-behind victory for his hometown team with a two-out, walk-off double in the ninth inning at Riverfront Stadium Thursday night (June 9, 2016).

Fricke's two-base hit lifted the Waterloo Bucks to a 2-1 victory over Duluth and extended their winning streak to five games. With the win, the Bucks improved their record to 6-0 against North Division teams and increased their division lead to two games over second-place Eau Claire and Mankato. At 8-2, Waterloo now has the best record in the Northwoods League (NWL).

Colin Kreiter started the Bucks' ninth-inning rally with a lead-off, infield single, then advanced to second on Tyler Curtis' groundout. Robert Neustrom then reached on a fielder’s choice, resulting in Kreiter being tagged out between second and third in a rundown. After Adam McGinnis was hit in the back for a team-leading third time, Fricke completed the homestand sweep with a walk-off double over the head of left fielder Reid Long, bringing around Neustrom from second.

Duluth (4-6) scored first with an unearned run in the seventh. Nic Strasser reached on a one-out infield single to the right side before Long moved him to second with a groundout to second. Daniel Gardner followed Long with another infield single to the right side, giving the Huskies runners on the corners. A Fricke passed ball brought with Carter Hanford at the plate brought in Strasser from third for the game’s first run.

Waterloo tied things up with a run in the eighth before scoring again in the ninth for the walk-off win. Blake Alexander reached base to begin the eighth after being hit in the back. A Wade Regas throwing error on a pickoff attempt allowed Alexander to move up to second before pinch-hitter Taylor Boyd advanced Alexander to third with an unassisted groundout to first baseman Dillon Paulson. Pinch-hitter Jake Hand tied the game at 1-1 with an RBI single just past second baseman David Kyriacou into center field, scoring Alexander.

Derek Hendrixson (1-0) recorded the win with a 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. Trevino Rodriguez (1-1) was tagged in the loss for Duluth after allowing one run on one hit in 2/3 of an inning.

UP NEXT: The Bucks head to Mequon, Wis., for a two-game road series against the Lakshore Chinooks beginning Friday. First pitch in the series opener from Kapco Park is at 6:35 p.m.

Story By: Jared Schlensky - Waterloo Bucks​