(March 26, 2025) Mena, Arkansas - After winning a pair yesterday against Western Oklahoma, the Bucks were in need for a pair of wins to get the sweep over the Pioneers and better their chances of making the Region II Tournament later in May in Hot Springs.
The Bucks were able to do just that with a 8-7 and 4-2 wins this afternoon at Union Bank Field. The men are now 24-25 overall with a 9-11 region record.
Offensively, the Bucks were led by Ian Smith (Bismarck, AR) and Layne Sweat (Derby, KS) with 4 hits on the day. Smith had 2 home runs and a double with 4 RBIs, while Sweat had a double and 3 RBIs on the afternoon. Diego Archila (Baton Rouge, LA) and Ethan Miller (Hallsville, TX) each had 3 hits in the doubleheader. The Bucks used 20 hits to score their 12 runs.
To start the day on the mound, Logan Steele (Magnolia, TX) pitched 5.0 innings, giving up 4 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits. Steele (6-2) struck out 3 in the outing. Tyler Reed (Pampa, TX) came on a pitched the final inning in the save situation. Reed recorded his second save of the season to secure the win.
With the series secured, some familiar names in the lineup got the job done on the mound. Ian Smith (1-0) got the start and lasted 6.0 innings, pitching 67 pitches in his first start of the year. He gave up 1 run on 5 hits and struck out 2. Aiden Strickland (Colubmia, MO) got the hold in 2.0 innings of work, while Layne Sweat come on to pitch the final inning to secure the 4-2 win for the Bucks. Sweat got his first save of the season.
The men will now play a 4-game series with Carl Albert State College next week to try and punch their ticket to Hot Springs.
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