(March 24, 2022) Mena, Arkansas - Less than 24 hours ago, the Bucks were run-ruled at #10 Eastern Oklahoma State in a single 9-inning midweek contest. The Bucks returned to Union Bank field to begin their third Region II series of the season against Carl Albert State College.

GAME ONE

Delta State commit Drake Fontenot (Bossier City, LA) got his normal start in the first game of region series. He wouldn't have his best stuff, but he still would go 6.0 innings in the outing. He would give up 2 runs, while striking out 6 and walking 2 in the no decision. 

After two scoreless innings, the Bucks pushed the first run across the plate in the bottom of the third inning on a Chase Webb (El Dorado, AR) RBI single to left field. Carl Albert tied it up in the next inning before the Bucks took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. The Bucks had the bases loaded and scored on a Cooper White (Benton, AR) walk, but a strikeout in the next at-bat stranded the bases loaded. 

Carl Albert would plate a run in the sixth inning on a solo home run. Cooper Perry (Avinger, TX) came on to pitch the the seventh inning, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) in 0.2 innings of work. Daegan Covington (Taylor, AR) came on to record the final out. In the bottom half, Luke Rice (Scott, AR) hit a solo homer to left centerfield, but the Bucks would fall 6-3 in seven innings. 

Cooper Perry (0-2) took the loss in the outing. 

GAME TWO

Grant Shankle (Van Buren, AR) got the start in the second game of the doubleheader. He would give up a run in the top of the first inning before settling in for the next three innings. The Bucks would respond and give Shankle run support in the bottom of the first with 4 runs. After a lead off single, Mason Reynolds (Fort Worth, TX) would hit a 2-run shot over the left field fence. After 2 outs and a hit-by-pitch, Wesley Featherston (Hope, AR) doubled to score Brice Cagle (Sherwood, AR). Next at-bat, left fielder Hayden Koller (Texarkana, TX) would hit a RBI single to left field to make it 4-1 after an inning. 

After a scoreless second, the Bucks added 3 more runs in the bottom of the third. After a walk and a double, Brice Cagle hit a sac fly to centerfield before Wesley Featherston kept the line moving with a RBI single. After a walk and runners advancing, Jackson Baker (Sherwood, AR) hit a sac fly to make it 7-1 in favor of the home team. Both teams would once again go scoreless in the fourth inning before the Bucks plated another run in the bottom of the fifth on a Jackson Baker RBI single that made it 8-1. 

Carl Albert responded in the sixth inning with 4 runs off Shankle, chasing him from the game. Keelan Hodge (Junction City, AR) entered the contest in relief and recorded the last out. The Bucks would get one run back on a Hayden Koller ground out. The Vikings would eventually tie the game at 9-9 after eight innings. James McCormick (Benton, AR) came in on relief for his first official outing of the season.

To start the ninth inning, Chicago, IL native Noah Cantleberry came on and put down the side to send the game to the bottom of ninth inning. After a Koller lead off walk, pinch hitter Will Dolan (Sugarland, TX) hit a sac bunt to advance the runner. After a strikeout and walk, Mason Reynolds delivered on a walk-off single to left center to plate Koller for the Bucks to win 10-9

Noah Cantleberry (1-0) got the win in his first outing of the season. Grant Shankle gave up 5 runs in 5.2 innings of work. He would strikeout 5 and walk 3 in the outing. 

The Bucks return to action on Saturday in Poteau, OK against Carl Albert. First pitch has been moved to 1 pm. 

#GOBUCKS