(May 20, 2021) Enid, Oklahoma – Advancing to championship Thursday at the Plains District Tournament, the Bucks were one win away from advancing to the NJCAA DII World Series that will also be hosted at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.
Game 1
Looking to stay undefeated on the week, the Bucks came up to bat first and were put down in order. Grant Shankle (Van Buren, AR) got the start and would give up 3 runs (1 earned) in three innings of work. Randy Little Jr. (Pine Bluff, AR) came on in relief and pitched five innings, giving up 6 runs (5 earned). Both struck out 2 a piece in the outing.
The Bucks were held to 3 hits in the game. They were able to get a couple of runs in the top of the nineth inning. Preston Lee (Maumelle, AR) led off with a double to left center. Next at-bat, Mason Reynolds (Fort Worth, TX) reached on an error that allowed Lee to score. After 2 outs, Luke Rice (Scott, AR) then reached on an error that scored Reynolds to make the final score 9-2.
The Pioneers forced the "if necessary" game. Winner advances to the World Series.
Game 2
The Bucks were looking to regain momentum after the loss. Drake Fontenot (Bossier City, LA) got the start on the mound for the Bucks. Through three innings, he held the Pioneers scoreless.
The Bucks picked up a run in the bottom of the second inning. With 1 out, Wesley Featherston (Hope, AR) singled. Two hitters later, Cole Clark (Clarksville, AR) would double down the right field line to score Featherston from first base to give the Bucks a 1-0 lead after two.
After a scoreless third inning, Western got 2 runs off a 2-run homer that hit the left field foul poll. Drake Fontenot continued to pitch well and got ground balls and double plays to get out of innings. Western scored another run in the top of the seventh inning to make it 3-1.
After a Bucks scoreless bottom half, Fontenot would give up a run and two more hits before being chased from the game with runners on second and third base. Maddox Long (Morrilton, AR) came on to pitch for the Bucks and got a strikeout to prevent any more damage. The Bucks went scoreless and trailed 4-1 heading into the final inning.
Maddox Long would record a strikeout in the nineth, but he would give up back-to-back hits that scored a Western run. Carson Crawford (Humnoke, AR) came on in relief. Western added another run on a throwing error by the Bucks to make it 6-1 after the half inning. The Bucks would need 5 runs to extend the game and season.
The Bucks would go down in order and fall 6-1 to Western Oklahoma State.
Wesley Featherston and Drake Fonetnot were named to the Plains District All-Tournament Team.
The Bucks finish their first season in program history as Region II/Plains District Runner-Ups with a 29-28 overall record.
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