Bucks End Long Skid With Willmar [Video]

The last time the Waterloo Bucks took a decision over the Stingers was Aug. 3, 2013. Sunday evening at Riverfront Stadium, the streak of 12 consecutive losses against the squad ended as Waterloo took down first-place Willmar with a 10-1 win.

The Bucks (20-21/2-3) utilized three multi-run innings, four Willmar (27-12/4-1) errors and 12 hits at the plate to end the Stingers’ six-game win streak coming into the game. Waterloo had at least one runner in scoring position in all eight frames in the box while seven of their 10 runs were scored on two-out opportunities.

Brian Drapeau (5-1) (Long Island) made another strong start for Waterloo and picked up the win on the mound after walking in the one run with the bases loaded in the fifth. The right-hander struck out three, walked four and logged 5 1/3 frames in the winning outing.

In his first start with the club, Jonah Bride (Neosho County CC) welcomed himself to Waterloo with two hits, one a two-run triple, two runs scored and a solid glove at third base. Mikal Hill (Winston-Salem St.) went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, providing two RBIs and his team-best ninth double of the year in the contest.

The Bucks converted the first scoring chance in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs on three hits and an error. After a lead-off double, Tyler Selesky (Florida Gulf Coast) took home on a stolen base. Then, Hill doubled in Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) and came across on a ground ball fielded as an error at second base to make it a 3-0 lead.

Jonah Bride reached base for the first time as a Buck in the bottom of the fourth with a one-out single. He scored later in the inning after a tag-up throw from the outfield was missed as an error by Willmar catcher Kyle Gilbert (Florida Gulf Coast).

Doug Hayes (Illinois) came in relief of Drapeau with one out and a man on in the top of the sixth. After retiring the final two outs in the frame, Hayes finished the rest of the game on the mound for the Bucks. The southpaw took the save over 3 2/3 scoreless frames, scattering two hits, walking one and striking out a single batter.

Waterloo made it an 8-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh with a four-run rally on two outs. Matthew James (Illinois) singled in Zach Soria (Florida International) for the frame’s first run before Bride tripled in James and Boxell with a smash off the top of the wall in left field. Mikal Hill singled in the next at-bat to plate Bride for the seven-run advantage.

Zach McKinstry (Central Michigan) opened the bottom of the eighth with a base on balls and later scored on Taylor Lane’s (Florida) ground ball to the shortstop side of the infield. Soria sprinted across later in the frame on a wild pitch to tally the game’s final run.

The Bucks close the home stand against the Willmar Stingers Monday at 7:05 p.m. Every Monday home game it’s a Buck Night where fane can get regular hot dogs for just $1.50, plus 10 oz. draft beer, 12 oz. sodas, small popcorn, and ice cream sandwiches for just $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