(April 8, 2022) Mena, Arkansas – A week after getting swept by Bossier Parrish and Eastern Oklahoma State and falling out of the NJCAA DII Baseball Rankings, the Bucks returned home for a big series against the 2021 NJCAA DII Baseball Runner-Ups, #9 Western Oklahoma State. The Bucks and Pioneers sit at the top of the Region 2 Standings. All four games of the series is being played at Union Bank Field.
GAME ONE
Game One started off to be what looked like a game that both teams could score double digits run. Drake Fontenot (Bossier City, LA) rolled out on the hill for the Bucks and gave up 3 runs in the top of the first inning; however, the Bucks responded with a four spot in the bottom half. After a lead off double and then a single, Chase Webb (El Dorado, AR) hit a 2-RBI double to left field. After an out, Wesley Featherston (Hope, AR) hit a RBI single to the left side of the infield before Cole Clark (Clarksville, AR) hit a line drive to center field that plated a run to make it 4-3 after an inning.
After a scoreless top of the second, Jackson Baker (Sherwood, AR) led off with a solo shot over the left center field fence. The Pioneers responded with a 3-run top of the third to take the 6-5 lead. The score would stay the same after a scoreless fourth and fifth innings.
Western added to their lead with a run in the top of the sixth, but the Bucks responded with a 3-run bottom half to take the lead. Luke Rice (Scott, AR) walked with the bases loaded to plate the first run followed by a Wesley Featherston 2-RBI single to center field to gain the 8-7 lead.
Fontenot's day ended after the top of the sixth, but with the Bucks lead after six, he was still in-line to pickup his third win of the season. Daegan Covington (Taylor, AR) came on to pitch the seventh with the lead. He would allow a couple base runners, but a strikeout ended the game.
In 6.0 innings of work, Drake Fontenot (3-2) gave up 7 runs (6 earned) on 11 hits. He would strikeout 8 hitters on the day, while only walking 2. Daegan Covington picked up his 3rd save of the season in his lone inning of work with 2 strikeouts.
GAME TWO
It was evident that both teams would hit the ball on a very windy afternoon at McMillan Park. Grant Shankle (Van Buren, AR) got the start on the bump and gave up 2 runs in the top half. The Bucks responded with a run. Daniel Taylor (Rogers, AR) led off with a double off the wall before advancing to third on a balk. Mason Reynolds (Fort Worth, TX) plated him on a ground out to the right side.
Shankle put up a zero in the top of the second inning, and the Bucks were able to tie the game for him. With the bases loaded, Brayden Sites (Sheridan, AR) plated on a passed ball. The Pioneers regained the lead momentarily in the top of the third with a couple runs, but a 3-run third inning gave the Bucks the lead. With a runner on, Chase Webb doubled down the left field line to plate a run. Next at-bat, Luke Rice hit a no doubt 2-run bomb that gave the Bucks a 5-4 lead after three.
Shankle produced a zero in the top of the fourth, and the Bucks added a run to their lead. Luke Rice hit a RBI single with two runners on to make it 6-4. Once again, Western Oklahoma would not go away with a 2-run fifth inning, but the Bucks matched it with a 2-run inning of their own. After a 1-out double, Eli Garrison (Little Rock, AR) hit a 2-out RBI double. A pair of walks loaded the bases, and Garrison plated on passed ball to make it 8-6 after five innings.
Grant Shankle pitched a scoreless sixth inning before his day was done with a 8-6 lead after six innings. Cooper Perry (Avinger, TX) entered the game in the seventh inning on the hill and put another zero on the board. Next inning, Noah Cantleberry (Chicago, IL) entered the game on the bump in the top of the eighth. He would give up 2 runs in his 0.2 innings of work. Cade Shrum (Greenwood, AR) came on in relief and threw a single pitch to get the ground out to end the inning with the game tied 8-8, and the Bucks stranded a pair of runners to send the game to the nineth tied.
Shrum returned in the nineth and gave up 5 runs, including a grand slam. The Bucks stranded a pair to end the game, falling 13-8.
Cade Shrum (2-2) gets the loss on the game in his 1.1 innings of work.
The Bucks and Pioneers return to action tomorrow at Union Bank Field in a doubleheader that will decide the series. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm.
#GOBUCKS