(April 28, 2023) Mena, Arkansas - Coming off their second region series win last weekend, the Bucks now turn their focus to SAU Tech. The men are still fighting for their berth into the Region II Tournament on May 11th-14th in Enid, Oklahoma. The Bucks enter the series with the Rockets 10-18 in region play, while the Rockets are in similar position at 9-19. 

Game One

The Bucks found themselves in an early 4-0 hole mid-way through the third inning, but the men started chipping away at the lead in the bottom half. Cooper White (Benton, AR) hit a 2-RBI single to make the score 4-2. After a scoreless third, White would then double to plate a run in the bottom of the fifth to cut the Rocket lead down to 4-3. 

SAU Tech would extend their lead in the top of the seventh inning, and the Bucks would head to the bottom half with their backs against the wall. Needing a pair of runs to extend the game, the Bucks would get the bases loaded with 1 out on a walk, hit-by-pitch, and a single. Next at-bat, Cooper White plated a run on a RBI single before Casey Shipley (Prairie Grove, AR) hit a sac fly to tie the game. Coach Spigner went to his lineup card and pinch hit Ethan Perry (Benton, AR). Perry would hit the 0-2 pitch between the shortstop and third basemen to plate the winning run to walk it off for the Bucks, 6-5.

Aden Almeida (Rogers, AR) for the second straight week came on in relief in the opening game of the series. Almeida (2-1) pitched the final 4.0 innings, giving up an unearned run on 2 hits. He would strikeout 5 and walk a pair in the win. 

Game Two

The Bucks would take the late inning momentum from the initial game and scored 15 runs through the first four innings on their way to a 15-4 run-rule win over the Rockets. The game one hero, Ethan Perry, would plate 4 RBIs on a pair of hits, including a double. Kolby Webb (Cabot, AR) also plated 4-runs for the Bucks on a pair of hits. The freshmen first basemen would hit a triple in the contest. Casey Shipley also plated multiple RBIs with a pair on 2 hits.

In the contest, the Bucks walked 8 times, while only striking out 3 times. The Bucks also were hit by 2 pitches and stole 9 bases. 

Deuce Yaksick (Frisco, TX) got the start for the Bucks and went the distance for his second win of the season. Yaksick (2-4) gave up 4 runs on 11 hits, while striking out 7 and walking one on the day. 

With a hit-by-pitch in the contest, Cooper White is now the Bucks single season leader in hit-by-pitches. He is a stolen base away from taking the lead in that category as well. 

The Bucks are now 12-18 in region play. The men will conclude the series on Sunday at home against the Rockets. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm.

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