February 6, 2021 (Mt. Pleasant, TX) – The Bucks and Eagles continued their week series on a wet and cold day. After leading most of game 1, the Bucks dropped it 4-3. In game 2, the bats came alive late. The Bucks would score 27 runs on 17 hits to win 27-17 in 8 innings.
In game 1, James McCormick (Benton, AR) would get the start on the mound. He would hold the Eagles to 1 unearned run through 5 innings. He would strikeout 4 and walk 3 while only giving up 3 hits. The Bucks would get on the board in the top of the 2nd inning after Luke Rice (Scott, AR) singled and advanced to 2nd and 3rd on passed balls. Adam Quinn (Texarkana, TX) would hit into what looked like a routine out in centerfield, but it was misplayed and allowed Rice to score. The Eagles plated a run of their own in the bottom half on a Bucks error. Game was tied after 2, 1-1.
After both teams went scoreless in the 3rd inning, the Bucks went to work in the top of the 4th inning. Rice would walk before Dan Taylor (Rogers, AR) would double to setup Luke Hindman's (Sherwood, AR) 2 RBI single. Eli Garrison (North Little Rock, AR) would double, but the Bucks couldn't muster any more runs. After 4 innings, the Bucks led 3-1.
After a scoreless 5th inning, the Eagles would heat up. After a walk, Cason Brigham (Genoa, AR) would come on in relief. He gave up a walk before the Eagles sac bunted to advance both runners. A fly ball to centerfield plated both runners to tie the game at 3. The Eagles took the lead on a line drive to right field. Brayden Ross (Charleston, AR) came on in relief to record the final out of the inning.
Cole Clark (Clarksville, AR) would lead off with a walk in the top of the 7th. He was bunted over by Chase Webb (El Dorado, AR) and advanced on a wild pitch, but the Bucks were unable to plate Clark. The Eagles took game 1, 4-3.
In game 2, if you like offense, there was not a shortage by either team. The Bucks would strike first by scoring 2 runs in the top of the 1st inning. Webb and Clark would both walk to lead it off before Luke Rice would hit a 2RBI double to centerfield. But, the lead was short lived as the Eagles scored 3 in the bottom half and added 5 in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Eagles led 8-2 after two.
In the top of the 3rd, the Bucks got a run back. Cole Clark reached on a error, and Rice would double again. Dan Taylor picked up a RBI by scoring Clark on a ground out. But, the Bucks couldn't generate any more. The Eagles would score 2 more in the bottom half and another in the bottom of the 4th. The Bucks trailed by 9 runs after 5 innings, 11-2.
The Bucks came alive in the 6th inning. The inning started off with both Rice and Brice Cagle (Sherwood, AR) singling. Wesley Featherston (Hope, AR) would be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Adam Quinn cleared the bases on a 3 RBI triple. Quinn would score on a groundout to first. After a Will Dolan (Sugar Land, TX) walk and Andrew Almendarez (Tomball, TX) single. Dugan Jones Jr. (Rose Bud, AR) would hit a 2 RBI single to round out the scoring in the top half. NTCC got a run back. Bucks trailed 12-9.
The 7th inning was no different as the 6th. The Bucks would put up 6 more runs. Cagle and Featherston both singled to start the inning before Quinn's walk. This would load the bases for Rylee Huie (Pottsville, AR). With one swing, Huie hit a grand slam to give the Bucks the lead. Two batters later, Almendarez was hit by a pitch. Tristan Doucet (Lake Arthur, LA) walked. Dugan Jones Jr. would again single scoring Almendarez. Luke Rice picked up another RBI on a fielder's choice scoring Doucet to finish the scoring in the 7th. The Eagles didn't go quietly picking up 2 more runs. Bucks led 15-14 after 7 innings.
The Bucks would once again put up another crooked number in the top of the 8th. Featherston would lead off with a single before Quinn bunted into a fielder's choice. Huie would reach on a error to advance Quinn to 3rd. Will Dolan would walk. Almendarez would reach on an error that scored Quinn. Two at bats later, Dugan Jones Jr. would hit a line drive scoring Huie and Dolan. The Eagles chose to not pitch to Rice to load the bases. Cagle would pick up a RBI on a walk before Featherston did the same after being hit by a pitch. Adam Quinn would once again come through with a 2 RBI double. Rylee Huie kept the momentum going by singling and scoring Featherston and Quinn. Huie then scored on a Dolan's single before Almendarez was hit by a pitch. Doucet walked to load the bases. Dolan scored on a pass ball. Jones Jr. walked to load the bases before Almendarez added a run on a passed ball. Rice ended the 12 run inning on a flyout to left field. The Eagles added 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th, but it wouldn't be enough to extend the game. The Bucks would win 27-17 in 8 innings.
The Bucks would use 5 pitchers in the game. Keelan Hodge (Junction City, AR) picked up the win throwing 2.1 innings giving up 4 hits, 6 runs (3 earned) and struck out 2 with 3 walks.
The Bucks will be back in action on Monday at Union Bank Field at McMillan Park against Central Baptist College's JV.
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