(March 30, 2021) Mena, Arkansas – Coming off their first conference series of the season, the Bucks hosted DI Region 2 foe, #17 Eastern Oklahoma State College, in a mid-week 9 inning contest.
Getting the start on the bump for the Bucks was Drake Fontenot (Bossier City, LA). He would give up a leadoff walk and a 1 out homer as Eastern took a 2-0 after the opening inning. After both teams went scoreless in the 2nd. Cooper Perry (Avinger, TX) came on in relief in the 3rd inning and threw a scoreless inning. The Bucks cut into the Mountaineer lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Andrew Almendarez (Tomball, TX) hit a lead off double to right centerfield and would advance to 3rd base on a wild pitch. Tristan Doucet (Lake Arthur, LA) would plate Almendarez on a sacrifice fly to right field. Bucks trailed 2-1 after 3 innings.
In the top of the 4th, Eastern picked up a run off Perry to increase their lead 3-1. After the Bucks went scoreless in the bottom half, Brayden Ross (Charleston, AR) came on in relief to start the 5th inning. He would give up a double but would strand the runner at 3rd to end the top half. The Bucks again went in order in the bottom half. Eastern led 3-1 after 5.
Ross threw a scoreless top half of the 6th, but the Bucks would strand a runner in the bottom half. To start the top of the 7th, Cade Shrum (Greenwood, AR) would come on to pitch. With an out, he would surrender 5 runs before being chased from the game. Ike Pelts (Lamar, AR) would come on in relief and retire both hitters he faced. In the bottom half, the Bucks would strand a runner to end the inning. Eastern leads 8-1.
In the top of the 8th, Eastern would plate 3 runs. The Bucks would need at least a run to keep the game alive, but they went in order to end the game. Bucks fall 11-1 in 8 innings.
In the loss, Drake Fontenot (0-1) pitched 2 innings, giving up 2 runs on 1 hit while striking out and walking 1 apiece. Cooper Perry and Brayden Ross combined for 4 innings, giving up a 1 run with 4 hits combined.
The Bucks play again on Thursday at home vs. Redlands Community College. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm at Union Bank Field.
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