Bucks Fall Short In 17-Inning Marathon At Mankato, 4-3

The Waterloo Bucks made history by becoming the first Northwoods League team to play two games in the same season lasting at least 17 innings Sunday night (July 31, 2016).

Their latest marathon ended with a 4-3 loss at Mankato, which walked off with the victory when Bryce Adams connected for a two-out single to center field that scored David Metzger from second base.

The five-hour, 41-minute contest was the second-longest, by time, in franchise history for both Mankato and Waterloo, and was the sixth-longest in league history. In terms of innings, the game matched the longest in franchise history for each club and equalled the third-longest ever played in the Northwoods League.

It's the second time this season that Waterloo has lost a 17-inning game. On June 15, the Bucks played a six-hour, 10-minute contest at Rochester and left Mayo Field with a 7-6 setback to the Honkers.

On Sunday, the Bucks and MoonDogs combined for 30 hits and 136 plate appearances. Each team scored a run in the 15th and 16th innings, before Mankato secured the win in the 17th.

Waterloo (9-14, 31-27) scored the first run of the game in the fourth inning. Luke Barry reached base with a bunt single up the third baseline, then moved to second on a Mankato throwing error. Barry advanced to third on Alex Boxwell's infield ground and eventually scored on a base hit by Lane Milligan.

Two errors in the bottom of the sixth allowed the MoonDogs to even the score at 1-1.

The game remained tied for eight consecutive innings until the top of the 15th. Justin Beck started the frame with a double to left-center and later scored on an RBI single by Adam McGinnis. Mankato prolonged the game, with a run in the bottom of the inning.

The Bucks took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 16th. Singles from Milligan and Beck put runners at the corner for Waterloo, then McGinnis was intentionally walked to load the bases. Travon Benton followed with a bases-loaded walk, allowing the go-ahead run to cross the plate.

Mankato evened the score again with run in the bottom of the 16th, then won the marathon in the 17th after Waterloo failed to score in the top of the inning.

Daniel Agramont (0-3) was charged with the loss for the Bucks, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out two in 1.2 innings of relief.​

UP NEXT: Waterloo faces La Crosse in a day-night, split-site doubleheader on Monday (Aug. 1). The Loggers host the opening game at 11 a.m. at Copeland Park in La Crosse. The second game begins at 7:05 p.m. at Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo.

Story Contributor: Jared Schlensky - Waterloo Bucks​

* NORTHWOODS LEAGUE - LENGTH OF GAME RECORDS

* Source: Northwoods League website