Church’s Strong Start Fuels 7-4 win For Bucks [VIDEO]

On a night where Waterloo’s offense left 14 runners on the base paths and utilized four dropped-ball errors to its benefit, the Waterloo Bucks managed to evade a Duluth comeback and secure a 7-4 win at Wade Stadium Saturday night (May 30, 2015).

Preston Church (1-0) picked up the win and was dominant over five innings of shutout ball in his first start as a Buck. Mikal Hill (Winston-Salem St.) recorded two doubles in the game, his first two of the season, while teammate Alex Boxwell (Minnesota) swiped two bases and scored a pair of runs. The win gave Waterloo a 5-0 record to begin the 2015 season, the best mark in the Northwoods League.

Waterloo got on the board first in the second inning when Joseph Shepherd (Murray St. College) brought in Adam McGinnis (Western Illinois) with a sacrifice fly to deep right field.

Hill added another run to make it a 2-0 lead for the Bucks in the third when he scored on a Zach Jarrett (Charlotte) grounder to shortstop. Hill opened the frame with his first double of the season, a drive that hit the wall in left.

Boxwell made it a 3-0 advantage in the fourth when he scored on an error at home plate. The Huskie catcher dropped the ball during a force-out play at home which allowed Boxwell to race across the plate.

Church exited the mound after completing his fifth frame on the mound. The starter gave up four hits, walked two and struck out three in his scoreless debut.

Brent Jurceka (Evansville) took over for the Bucks in the sixth. The Huskies nabbed two runs back in Jurceka’s opening frame with four hits to make the score 3-2.

Adam McGinnis (Western Illinois) crossed the plate in the seventh to make it a 4-2 game when Luke Stratman (Lamar CC) reached on a bases-loaded ground ball error at first base.

After the Huskies tallied one run in the bottom of the seventh, the Bucks pushed three more across in the eighth to make it a 7-3 advantage. Jarrett scored on a drop third-strike ball that went to the backstop after McGinnis struck out for the frame’s first run. Then, Boxwell singled in Mark Hernandez (Long Island) and scored when his college teammate Matthew Stemper (Minnesota) got caught in a rundown between first and second base.

Jurceka surrendered two hits, a walk and a run in the final frame, but hung on to secure the 7-4 win for Waterloo on the road.

Waterloo completes the series at Duluth Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m. The Bucks will then return home to open the month of June with two games against the St. Cloud Rox.

On June 1st at Riverfront Stadium, it’s a Buck Monday at the ballpark where fans can get regular hot dogs for just $1.50, plus 10 oz. draft beer, 12 oz. sodas, small popcorn, and ice cream sandwiches are just $1 each! Sponsored by K-98.5.

It will also be Pink Out Night! The Bucks are helping raise breast cancer awareness! Proceeds from the 50/50 raffle will be benefitting the Beyond Pink TEAM. Members from the Beyond Pink TEAM will be giving out Pink Ribbon Tattoos. The Bucks will also be wearing special ‘Pink Out’ jerseys.

The Bucks will wear special Pink Jerseys sponsored by MaidPro, The Cedar Valley Breast Care Center, and Great Clips. The jerseys will be sold via silent auction during the game and all proceeds from the Jersey auction will benefit the Beyond Pink TEAM.

Tickets are available at waterloobucks.com. You can also visit the Bucks Ticket Office at Riverfront Stadium or call 319-232-5633.