Bucks Split Doubleheader At Battle Creek [Video]

Strong pitching and exceptional defense were on display as the Waterloo Bucks and Battle Creek Bombers split a Northwoods League doubleheader on Sunday (June 14, 2015). Both seven-inning games ended in 1-0 decisions.

The Bombers (8-11) claimed game one with a fifth-inning score and the Bucks (12-8) pulled off the game two victory after scoring on a pass ball in the top of the seventh. Waterloo’s defense and pitching were the story of both games with run-saving gems and a combined 10 strikeouts. Offensively, the Bucks struggled with runners in scoring position going 0-for-12, collectively, throughout the doubleheader.

Preston Church (2-1) (Western Illinois) took the loss in the opening contest after allowing one run during a complete game, three-hitter. Nick Veale (Minnesota St.) got the spot start in game two and allowed just three hits over three scoreless frames of work. Sean Trimble (2-0) (Long Beach St.) earned the win in game two out of the bullpen by providing four scoreless innings of four-hit baseball. Weston Hatten (Washington St.) scored the lone Waterloo run in finale of the twinbill after being hit by a pitch in the top of the final inning.

Game 1

The Bombers took the opener, 1-0, with the help of one run in the fifth. Church (2-1), Waterloo’s starter, took a no-hitter into the bottom of the fifth before surrendering his first base-hit to Battle Creek.

Tyler Walsh (Belmont) recorded that first hit for the Bombers with a lead-off double to the gap in left-center field. After Li Lin (National Taiwan Sport) hit into a 4-3 double play, Walsh scored for the decisive 1-0 Battle Creek lead.

Church finished by throwing the complete game, six-inning thriller for the Bucks. The southpaw gave up one run on three hits while walking none and striking out five during his first losing start of the year.

Game 2

The Bucks took game two with a run in the top of the seventh to salvage the split, 1-0. The win marked their third shutout of the season and second in the last three games.

Hatten scored the lone run for Waterloo in the seventh after leading off the inning with a hit-by-pitch. After being moved over to third with a bunt and a groundout, Hatten scored on a pass ball to the backstop for the game-winning run.

Nick Veale got the start for the Bucks and shutdown the Bomber lineup for three hits over the course of three scoreless innings. In his first start of the year, Veale walked two and struck out four.

Sean Trimble (2-0) picked up right where the starter left off by giving up just four hits over four innings of shutout ball. The righty struck out two and walked none while taking the win in his seventh relief outing of the year.

The Bucks return to Riverfront Stadium tonight to open a four-game series with the Mankato MoonDogs, starting at 7:05. Every Monday home game is Buck Night, with regular hot dogs selling for $1.50, plus 10 oz. draft beer, 12 oz. sodas, small popcorn, and ice cream sandwiches selling for $1 each, sponsored by K98.5.

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