(February 29, 2024) Hot Springs, Arkansas - Coming off 7 straight losses, the Bucks were looking for new life to begin region play this afternoon at Majestic Park. The Bucks entered the day 2-14 on the season and were set for a 3-game series with National Park, beginning with a single 9-inning game this afternoon. The Nighthawks began their season 9-6 overall.

The first game of the series turned out to be a pitcher's dual. Ethan Diaz (Minneola, FL) got the start for the Bucks and ended up throwing all 10 innings of the contest. 

National Park took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Bucks answered back in the top of the sixth inning. Aiden McGinnis (Jasper, AL) led off with a double, followed by Jack Bilski (La Porte, TX) with another to cut into the lead. Next at-bat, Trace Watkins (Sheridan, AR) plated Bilski on a RBI single to make it 2-2. 

With Diaz cruising, the Bucks couldn't find any run support. Diaz looked to run into trouble in the bottom of the nineth inning, but pitching and defense forced the game into extra innings. A 1 out double put a runner on second, and Coach Weaver intentionally walked a hitter to put the double play in order. Diaz got a fielder's choice for the second out before McGinnis made the play of the game on a ground out to first base. McGinnis dove to keep the ball from going into right field to keep the score at 2-2.

The defensive effort was just what the Bucks needed in the top of the tenth. A Trevor Flake (North Little Rock, AR) line drive led off the inning. After an out, Diego Archila (Baton Rouge, LA) got his only hit of the game to put a pair of runners on for the Bucks. Next at-bat, Aiden McGinnis followed up his defensive play with a RBI single to give the Bucks the lead. The Bucks weren't done in the inning. After an out, Watkins drove in his second RBI of the day to extend the lead. After a walk loaded the bases, Caleb Bryant (North Little Rock, AR) beat out a ground ball to the shortstop to plate the final run. 

Diaz trotted back out for the bottom of the tenth. After a runner reached on an error, Diaz put down the Nighthawks in order to seal the 5-2 win. More importantly, the Bucks start region play 1-0. 

Ethan Diaz (1-2) pitched all 10.0 innings, striking out 9 and walking 3. The Nighthawks 2 runs came on just 4 hits. 

The Bucks improve to 3-14 overall on the season. The series will conclude with a doubleheader on Saturday at Union Bank Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12 pm. 

#DefendTheMountain