A pair of home runs sparked the Waterloo Bucks to a 10-6 victory over Mankato Tuesday evening.

Caleb LittleJim's two-run shot to dead-center field in the home half of the third inning put the Bucks ahead 3-1, a lead they would not relinquish. On the night, LittleJim accounted for six of Waterloo's 10 runs. He drove in five and scored one himself, while going 2-for-4 at the plate.

The Bucks (5-3) extended their lead to 8-1 with a five-run fourth inning. The frame featured a towering three-run home run by Jake Gitter over the right-center field fence and a two-run single by LittleJim.

Gitter ended the night 2-for-2 at the plate, with a pair of walks.

Alonzo Rubalcaba capped off the Bucks' scoring with RBI singles in the fifth and seventh innings.

Lefthander Adam Ketelsen earned the win with 5.0 innings of one-run ball, scattering five hits and two walks while striking out a pair.

The Bucks have moved back into a first-place tie with Duluth in the Great Plains East Division. Tuesday's victory sets up a pivotal two-game series with the Huskies in Waterloo. The series begins at 6:35 PM Wednesday at Riverfront Stadium.

Contributing Author: Thomas Breach - Waterloo Bucks

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