(April 16, 2022) Hot Springs, Arkansas – Coming off two wins at home against National Park, the 20th ranked Bucks were unsure of the next playing date due to circumstance out of their control, including the weather. After moving today's doubleheader to Friday, the games were moved back as the Bucks travelled to Majestic Park in Hot Springs to conclude the series with National Park.
GAME THREE
The Bucks were looking to continue momentum from Thursday, but the game went about like the weather, which included rain, thunder, and a lightening delay between the sixth and seventh innings. Jackson Wells (Rogers, AR) got the start on the mound for the Bucks and lasted 5.2 innings. He would give up 3 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits in the outing. Wells (5-1) picked up his first loss of the season, but he did strike out 7 hitters, while only walking 1 hitter. The Bucks recorded only 2 hits offensively in the game, while stranding 8 runners in the 3-0 loss.
GAME FOUR
Continuing what seemed to be a day for the pitching staffs of both teams, the Bucks and Nighthawks played a 0-0 game through four innings. James McCormick (Benton, AR) got the start for the Bucks on the hill. He would give up his first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning and another in the sixth, when he was chased from the contest. The Bucks were trailing 2-0 when Cade Shrum (Greenwood, AR) entered the contest to close out the sixth.
Looking for some offensively production, the Bucks found some in the top of the seventh inning. With 2 runners on and 1 out, Jackson Baker torched a ball over the left center field fence to give the Bucks a 3-2 lead. Shrum returned and put up a zero on the board to finish his day of work, 1.1 innings.
After a scoreless top of the eighth, Randy Little Jr. (Pine Bluff, AR) entered the game on the bump and endured a rain delay to record three outs and stranded a pair of runners. In the bottom of the eighth, Luke Rice (Scott, AR) hit a solo homer to extend the Bucks lead to 4-2.
In the bottom of the nineth, Daegan Covington (Taylor, AR) entered the contest in his closer role and stranded the bases loaded to pick up his fifth save of the season, second of the series against National Park.
Cade Shrum (6-2) picked up his second win of the series in his 1.1 innings of work. He would pitch 1.2 innings in the series to get both wins on a total of 19 pitches.
The Bucks return to action on Tuesday at home against Seminole State College. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm.
#GOBUCKS