(April 23, 2022) Mena, Arkansas – Coming off a double dip of South Arkansas on Thursday, the #17 Bucks returned home to conclude the series with the Stars on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Before Saturday's games, the Bucks hold a 5-game lead in the Region II Standings with a 19-3 record.

GAME ONE

Freshmen Jackson Wells (Rogers, AR) got the start on the bump for the Bucks and would go the distance (7.0 innings). He would put up zeros on the scoreboard until the top of the fifth inning, giving up 2 runs (1 earned), but that would be the only runs given up on the day. He would also strike out 4 and walked 2 in the outing.

The Bucks scored all of their runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Back-to-back singles lead off the inning. Brayden Sites (Sheridan, AR) bunted and forced an error that allowed the Bucks to plate the first run of the game. Next at-bat, Cole Clark (Clarksville, AR) scored on a passed ball before Casey Shipley (Prairie Grove, AR) grounded out to the right side that plated Sites.

The Bucks would win 3-2 to get the series win, and Jackson Wells (6-1) picked up his sixth win of the season on the hill.

GAME TWO

James McCormick (Benton, AR) got the start the mound for the Bucks. In his 5.0 innings of work, he would give up 2 runs on 3 hits, while striking out 5 and walking a run.

The Bucks got things started offensively in the bottom of the inning. After a pair of walks, Chase Webb (El Dorado, AR) hit a 3-run homer over the left field fence. After a double and hit-by-pitch, Cole Clark hit a 2-RBI double to clear the bases. After an out and a walk, Jackson Baker (Sherwood, AR) hit a RBI single to plate the sixth run of the inning to make it 6-0 after one.

After a scoreless second, South Ark plated a pair of runs off McCormick. The Bucks answered with a run of their own in the bottom half on a solo homer by Trace Watkins (Sheridan, AR). The Bucks then added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. After a walk, a Daniel Taylor (Rogers, AR) hit a RBI triple to centerfield. After a walk, Chase Webb hit a sacrifice fly to plate Taylor that gave the Bucks a 9-2 lead after four.

McCormick threw a scoreless fifth that brought the Bucks back to plate that resulted in a 6-run half inning. With the bases loaded, Jackson Baker grounded into a fielder's choice that scored a run. After a single to load the bases, a Mason Reynolds (Fort With, TX) walk plated a run. With 2 outs, Luke Rice cleared the bases with a double that made the score 15-2 after five innings.

Randy Little Jr. (Pine Bluff, AR) came on to pitch in the top of the sixth and worked a scoreless half inning. The Bucks went scoreless and sent the game into the seventh with a chance to end the game. Keelan Hodge (Junction City, AR) came on to pitch in the inning and worked a 1, 2, 3 inning to end the game. Bucks win 15-2 in seven innings.

James McCormick (1-0) picked up his first win of the season in the start.

The Bucks are back in action on Tuesday for a single 9-inning game with Seminole State. First pitch is at 2 pm.

#GOBUCKS