Bucks Walk Off With Series Sweep, Fifth-Straight Win
The Waterloo Bucks completed the sweep of their two-game home series with Eau Claire at Riverfront Stadium this week, walking off with their fifth-straight win Tuesday night (June 6, 2017).
The Bucks (6-2) beat the Express, 4-3. Zach Malis beat out the throw at first base on a potential double play ball, allowing Ian Nelson to score the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. The victory keeps Waterloo in first-place in the Northwoods League's North Division standings, a position it shares with St. Cloud.
Eau Claire (3-5) took an early 1-0 lead when Daniel Jones blasted a solo homerun over the leftfield wall in the second inning. The Bucks answered quickly in their half of the frame, tying the game at 1-1 on a run-scoring groundout by Josh Elvir.
Both teams also scored single runs in the third inning. Eau Claire took a brief 2-1 lead on Justin Evans' RBI triple into the rightfield corner before the Bucks scored on a single by Malis, knotting the score at 2-all.
Waterloo wasted a chance to potentially take control of the game in the fourth inning. Keaton Presley led off the frame with a single to deep leftfield, but was thrown out while trying to stretch the hit into a double. John Cable and Elvir followed with base hits, then Deion Thompson drew a walk to load the bases with one out. The Bucks' threat ended when Grant Hawkins hit into a double play.
The see-saw battle continued when the Express scored on an infield hit in the sixth inning and Waterloo answered in the seventh, scoring on Korry Howell's single to right field in the seventh.
Eau Claire threatened to break a 3-3 tie in the ninth inning, but failed to produce a run after loading the bases. Zachary Patterson (1-0) was summoned out of the bullpen to get the Bucks out of the jam, and earned the win with back-to-back strikeouts.
UP NEXT: The Bucks continue their four-game home stand at Riverfront Stadium on Wednesday (June 7), when they open a two-game series against the Mankato MoonDogs. Fireworks will follow the 6:35 p.m. game, which kicks-off the 36th annual "My Waterloo Days" celebration.