(February 9, 2023) Mena, Arkansas - Coming off a rough Opening Day of baseball, the Bucks looked to get back on track at home in a single 9-inning contest verses Philander Smith College from Little Rock. This was the first game of a 3-game sereis for the Bucks and Panthers. Philander Smith is a 4-year institution that plays in the NAIA. The Bucks enter the contest 0-2 on the young season after dropping a doubleheader to Northeast Texas on Sunday afternoon at Union Bank Field.
The Bucks would have a big day at the plate, scoring 24 runs on 21 hits. Seventeen players went to the plate in 42 at-bats for the Bucks, none bigger on the day than Trevor Flake (North Little Rock, AR). The freshmen infielder went 3 for 4 with 5 RBIs, scoring 4 runs and walked twice. One of his hits was a 3-run home run that hit the road behind the left field wall at McMillan Park. This was the first home run of his college career and of the season for the Bucks.
Through the first two innings, the Bucks scored 16 runs and held that lead through three innings. Philander Smith plated a couple of runs in the top of the fourth inning, before the Bucks plated 4 more runs in the bottom half. After a scoreless fifth, the Bucks added 4 more runs in the bottom of the sixth to end their offensive day to win 24-2 in 7-innings.
Other Bucks with big days at the plate were Brayden Sites (Sheridan, AR) (2-2, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, and a walk), Casey Shipley (Prairie Grove, AR) (2-2, 2 RBIs, and a run), and Jimmy Mathis (Grandview, TX) (3-5, 3 RBIs, and 4 runs).
It was a big day on the bump for the Bucks, striking out 11 and giving up no walks in 7.0 innings of work. Freshmen pitcher Deuce Yaksick (Frisco, TX) (1-0) made his collegiate debut, getting the start on the mound for the Bucks. The right hander threw 4.0 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits with 6 strikeouts to pick-up his first win of his college career and on the season. Left hander Austin Rainey (Conway, AR) pitched 3.0 innings in relief. The freshmen gave up 0 runs on 2 hits and struck out 5 in his first appearance of his career.
The Bucks hit the road for the first time on Saturday against Philander Smith at Burns Park in Little Rock. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 pm. The Bucks and Panthers will be play a pair of 7-inning games.
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