A lack of offense and several defensive mistakes proved to be a costly combination for the Waterloo Bucks Wednesday night (May 31, 2017).

Iowa's only Northwoods League team dropped its first game of the young season, falling to St. Cloud, 8-2, at Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo.

Just as they did in Tuesday's season opener, the Rox (1-1) got off to another hot. One night after building a 3-0 lead in a 5-4 loss to Waterloo, St. Cloud started quickly again by plating two runs in the first inning.

The Bucks (1-1) answered in their half of the second inning. Drew Greenwood dashed for a home on a wild pitch, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.

The turning point of the game came in the top of the fourth inning when the Rox plated five runs, four of which were unearned. After St. Cloud built a 3-1 advantage, Bucks center fielder Josh Elvir misplayed a routine fly ball that allowed a pair of runs to score on the play. One other Rox runner scored before the half-inning ended. After all the damage, St. Cloud owned a 7-1 lead.

Hunter Spencer (0-1) started for Waterloo and surrendered the seven runs (two earned) with three strikeouts through four innings of work. Colby Carmichael relieved Spencer and pitched three scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Ben Sellers threw the final two in relief of Carmichael.

The Rox tacked added another run in the eighth inning to extend their their lead to 8-1.

Colin Kreiter blasted the first home run of the season for the Bucks in the bottom of the 9th inning. His solo blast over the right field wall set the final score at 8-2.

UP NEXT: The Bucks continue their homestand tonight when they host the Duluth Huskies (2-0). First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. at Riverfront Stadium.

Story Contributor: Danny Frey - Waterloo Bucks

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