(March 18, 2023) Poteau, Oklahoma - Coming off a pair of wins at home to even their region records, the Bucks were going for the series with over Carl Albert State College. At least a split on the day gives the Bucks a 4-4 record after their second region series, while a series sweep pushes the Bucks toward the top of the standings heading into Spring Break.

Game One

The Bucks offense answered the call in the first game of the afternoon, producing 17 hits in the game. The contest was tied at 1-1 after a pair of innings until the Bucks broke the tie with a snowman in the top of the third inning. The inning was highlighted by a Trent Smith (Longview, TX) 2-RBI single, a Blake Ritter (Ashdown, AR) 2-run home run, and a Trevor Flake (North Little Rock, AR) RBI double to give the Bucks a 9-1 lead. 

In the bottom of the third, starting pitcher Aden Almeida (Rogers, AR) was chased from the contest, giving up 3 runs in the frame. Ashton Perkins (Pearland, TX) entered the game in relief and went the rest of the way for the Bucks, giving up only 1 run in the bottom of the sixth.

The Bucks produced runs in each of the next three innings. Trent Smith and Ethan Perry (Benton, AR) produced RBIs in the fourth, while Jimmy Mathis (Grandview, TX) hit an opposite field solo home run in the top of the fifth inning. In the sixth, Ethan Perry and Blake Ritter produced RBIs to give the Bucks the 14-5 win.

Ashton Perkins (1-1) evened his record on the season in 5.0 innings of work. The would give up 1 run on 5 hits, while striking out 8 on the day.

Game Two

Wanting the series sweep, the Bucks offense took a little bit to get going, but did in a big way in the top of the third. With the game tied at 0-0, Cooper White (Benton, AR) opened the scoring with a 3-run home run to right centerfield to give the Bucks a 3-0 lead. Carl Albert wouldn't go away and tied the game in the bottom of the fifth at 3-3.

The Bucks would answer in the sixth inning. With 1 out, Kolby Webb (Cabot, AR) hit a 2-RBI double before Ethan Perry hit a 2-run bomb to give the Bucks the 7-3 lead. In the bottom half, Carl Albert took their only lead of the day with a 5-run sixth, chasing starting pitcher Jack Henry Pettit (Brookland, AR). Pettit lasted 5.0 innings, giving up 7 runs (5 earned) on 9 hits. He would strike out 6 in the start.

The Bucks offense would respond in the seventh on back-to-back-to-back singles by Brayden Sites (Sheridan, AR), Casey Shipley (Prairie Grove, AR), and Kolby Webb. The 3 runs regained the lead for the men, and they never gave it back. In the top of the 9th, Casey Shipley gave the Bucks an insurance run on an absolute no doubter to left field to make it 11-8, which would be the final score.

Jacob Pannell (Fayetteville, AR) entered the contest in the bottom of the sixth inning. He would come through big in 4.0 innings of work. Pannell (1-1) gave up a run on 2 hits, while striking out 6 on the day to solidy the series sweep.

The Bucks head to Spring Break 5-3 in region play. The men return to action on Tuesday for a single 9-inning game at home against Eastern Oklahoma. Then, the Bucks begin a region series with South Arkansas on Thursday at Union Bank Field. 

For the most up-to-date schedules, please visit www.bucksathletics.com/composite or Bucks Athletics on social media.

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