(March 13, 2021) Conway, Arkansas – The Bucks travelled to Conway Christian High School to try and break their 5-game skid against Central Baptist College's Developmental Team. After a 3-0 win during a pitcher's duel in game 1, the Bucks' offense woke up in game 2. The Bucks got their record (10-9) back above .500 with a 9-1 win.
Game 1
Morrilton's Maddox Long (3-1) got his 4th start of the season on the bump and threw a complete game shutout. Through his 7 innings, he would give up only 3 hits and struck out 5 batters. CBC got 2 runners on in the bottom of the 7th inning, but a 4-6-3 double play ball ended the game.
The Bucks offense was stifled through 5 innings. They were able to get base runners on walks, but a couple pickoffs and a runner caught stealing halted any offensive production until the top of the 6th inning. After a hit-by-pitch, Chase Webb (El Dorado, AR) doubled to break-up the CBC no-hitter. With 1 out, Luke Rice (Scott, AR) hit his 5th home run of the season to put the Bucks ahead 3-0 mid-way through the 6th. That is all Long needed to pick up his third win of the season. Bucks win the pitcher's duel, 3-0.
Game 2
After a scoreless top half to start the game, Van Buren's Grant Shankle got the start on the mound to begin the second game of the twin bill. He would give up a solo homer in the bottom half as CBC took a 1-0 lead after an inning. The lead would be short lived. With 2 outs, Eli Garrison (North Little Rock, AR) would reach after being hit by a pitch. Barrett Sparks (North Little Rock, AR) came on as a pinch runner and stole 2nd base. In the at-bat, Preston Lee (Maumelle, AR) would reach on an error by the Mustang second basemen. The error allowed Sparks to score. Bucks tied it up 1-1 after 2 innings.
After a scoreless frame by Shankle, Chase Webb reached on a walk and would take second base. With 1 out, Dan Taylor (Rogers, AR) hit an RBI single to plate Webb. In the bottom half, Shankle would strand runners in scoring position with a strikeout. Bucks lead 2-1 after 3.
Both offenses went in order in the 4th inning. In the 5th, the Bucks put up a crooked number in the top of the frame. Back-to-back Bucks' hitters were hit by a pitch to setup Cole Clark's (Clarksville, AR) sac bunt. Next at-bat, Dan Taylor singled to right field to score Mason Reynolds (Fort Worth, TX). An error on a pickoff allowed pinch runner, Tristan Doucet (Lake Arthur, LA), to score, while Taylor advanced to 2nd base. A walk by Brice Cagle (Sherwood, AR) and single by Luke Hindman (Sherwood, AR) loaded the bases. With 1 out, Dugan Jones, Jr. (Rose Bud, AR) walked to plate Doucet. Two hitters later, Preston Lee turned the lineup over with a 2 RBI single to score Cagle and Hindman. A flyout ended the top half, but the damage was done. Shankle stranded a runner in the bottom half. Bucks led 7-1 after 5 innings.
With 1 out in the top of the 6th, Cole Clark doubled to left field. Dan Taylor would trade places with Clark on an RBI double of his own. But, Taylor would get stranded to end the frame. Shankle once again stranded a runner in the bottom half as the Bucks led 8-1 after 6.
In the top half of the 1st, Eli Garrison singled with 1 out to setup Barrett Sparks RBI triple. After a walk, a strike out and fly out ended the Bucks' scoring on the day. Shankle walked a couple in the bottom half, but would strand both to end the game. Bucks win 9-1.
In the win, Grant Shankle (3-1) pitched a complete game (7 innings). He gave up 1 run on 7 hits, while striking out 8 and walking 3.
The Bucks play again on Monday, March 15th, at home against Henderson State's JV squad.
#GOBUCKS