A three-game winning streak has pushed the Waterloo Bucks back to the top of the standings in the Northwoods League's North Division.

The Bucks (31-22, 7-10) regained a share of the overall lead with a 2-1 victory at Bismarck Monday night (July 24, 2017). Waterloo and Mankato are the two teams currently tied for first-place, while first half-season champion St. Cloud is a half-game off the pace.

Monday night's battle against the Larks (24-29, 8-9), one of two new teams to join the summer collegiate circuit this season, was the first in franchise history for Waterloo at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark in North Dakota. The Bucks held-off a late rally to escape with the win.

Waterloo tallied its only runs of the game in the second inning. One scored on a single to right field by John Cable. Dalton Hurd followed with a run-scoring double down the left field line, giving the Bucks a 2-0 lead.

Zachary Patterson / Courtesy: Waterloo Bucks
Zachary Patterson / Courtesy: Waterloo Bucks
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Zachary Patterson (2-5) was dominant on the mound for the Bucks, tossing six and two thirds innings of scoreless baseball with five strikeouts. Ryan Dunne (4) earned the save after surviving Bismarck's comeback attempt.

After retiring the Larks in order in the bottom of the eighth inning, Dunne had trouble getting through the ninth. The first batter he faced struck out, but a dropped third strike allowed the next Bismarck hitter to reach base with one out. Following another strikeout, the Larks drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Bismarck scored its only run on a single that bounced to the right side of the infield before an infield grounder ended the game.

UP NEXT: The Bucks continue their four-game series at Bismarck on Tuesday (July 25).

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