(March 21, 2023) Mena, Arkansas - Coming off a region series sweep over Carl Albert, the Bucks are winners of 5 of their last 6 games and looked to keep the momentum going at home on Tuesday afternoon. The Bucks hosted Eastern Oklahoma State in a mid-week matchup. This is the second meeting this season for the Bucks and Mountaineers. The Mountaineers won a 9-inning game in Wilburton on February 21st, 8-3. The Bucks and Mountaineers will play another home and home this season.
Like previous games, the Bucks found themselves in an early hole after the initial inning. The Bucks trailed 4-0 after the first inning and cut the lead in half in the bottom of the third. The Bucks led off with a hit-by-pitch and a walk in the inning. After a passed ball put runners in scoring position, back-to-back ground outs by Blake Ritter (Ashdown, AR) and Casey Shipley (Prairie Grove, AR) plated both runners to make it 4-2.
The Mountaineers increased their lead in the top of the fourth inning with 4 more runs. Once again, the Bucks cut into the lead with a 2-run bottom half. With the first hitters at the plate reaching base, Blaine Vaughan (Grandview, TX) came to the plate and belted a RBI double into right field. Next at-bat, Cooper White (Benton, AR) grounded out to make the score 8-4 after four innings.
In the fifth, both teams plated a run. The Bucks came on a Casey Shipley home run that hit Vivian Street behind left centerfield that made the score 9-5 after five innings. After a scoreless sixth inning, the Bucks needed to produce runs and did with a snowman after the seventh inning stretch. The Bucks produced 4 runs on a pair of walks, a hit-by-pitch, and a passed ball with the bases loaded. Brayden Sites (Sheridan, AR) had a big inning with 3 RBIs on two doubles in his two trips to the plate. Blaine Vaughan produced the Bucks other run a RBI single to centerfield. The Bucks took the lead 13-9 after seven innings.
After a scoreless eighth inning, the Mountaineers plated 2 runs in the top of the nineth, but it wasn't enough. The Bucks held on for a 13-11 win.
Hunter Alexander (Bigelow, AR) pitched the final 5.0 innings of the contest and picked up his first win of the season (1-0). The freshmen allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits. All 3 of his strikeouts came in the top of the eighth inning.
The Bucks now turn their attention to their region series with South Arkansas this Thursday and Saturday. The Bucks travel to El Dorado on Thursday and return home on Saturday to conclude the series. First pitches both days is scheduled for 1 pm.
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