Tied up 5-5 heading to the stretch, the Waterloo Bucks scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh to down the Alexandria Blue Anchors, 10-5, at Riverfront Stadium Monday night (July 13, 2015).

Jonah Bride (Neosho County CC) cleared the bags with a bases-loaded double off the wall in left field for the go-ahead hit with one out in the seventh. In the next at-bat, Alex Boxwell sent an 0-2 pitch high over the wall in right field for his first round-tripper of the season to make it a five-score advantage. Boxwell’s no-doubter drove in two runs to highlight his three-hit, three-RBI night in the win.

Doug Hayes (3-2) (Illinois) took the decision out of the bullpen after allowing three runs in the top of the seventh. Carson McPherson (Murray St. College) gathered another quality start for Waterloo (25-24/7-6), throwing five innings of two-run ball off of six hits and a pair of walks. The victory sent the Bucks to a 4-1 mark against the Blue Anchors on the season.

Taylor Lane (Florida) opened the scoring for Waterloo in the bottom of the second. After he recorded a lead-off triple down the right field line, Lane scored on an RBI-single from Boxwell into left field to send the Bucks in front, 1-0.

Alexandria (19-29/7-6) quickly tied the game, 1-1, in the top of the third when Drew Fearing (North Dakota St.) singled in Luke Petterson (Minnesota) to left. Petterson walked with two outs in the frame and later scored as an unearned run.

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The Blue Anchors grabbed their only lead, 2-1, in the top of the fourth when Nehwon Norkeh (Angelo St.) sent in Ricky Sanchez (Notre Dame) with a ground-out to shortstop. Then, after three consecutive singles, Waterloo left-fielder Tyler Selesky (Florida Gulf Coast) made a sliding catch in shallow left field to save more runs and retire the side.

The Bucks, then, immediately responded for four runs in the bottom of the fourth to go up, 5-2. Bride opened the inning with a single and moved into scoring position in the next at-bat when Boxwell doubled into right field. Matt Stemper (Minnesota) drove in Bride in the next plate appearance with a ground-out to second to knot the score, 2-2.

Next, Chris Kelly (DMACC) singled in Boxwell to give the Bucks the lead before Zach McKinstry (Central Michigan) cleaned the bases with a two-out, two-run double to the alley in left-center.

McPherson ended his start in the top of the sixth after giving up a leadoff single. The southpaw surrendered two runs, one earned, on six hits in his 10th start of the season while striking out four and walking two.

Doug Hayes (3-2) entered out of relief and got the final three outs in the frame with two fly-outs and a pickoff at first base. The left-hander from Illinois was stifled for three runs, two earned, in the seventh, but took the victory on the mound over three innings where he allowed three hits, struck out one and walked a single batter.

Bride added the three-run double off the wall in the seventh moments before Boxwell homered into right to put the game out of reach for the Blue Anchors. The two Bucks combined for six of the teams runs-batted-in to help secure the 10-5 victory at home.

The Bucks finish the home stand with a 12:05 p.m. (CT) start time against Alexandria. It’s the first-ever Senior and Kids Day at the ballpark for the noon game.

It’s also a Two For Tuesday at the Waterloo Bucks. Follow the Bucks on Facebook or their email newsletter for a buy one ticket get one FREE offer for Tuesday home games. One lucky fan will win a pair of Minnesota Twins tickets given away at every Tuesday home game.

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

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