(April 4, 2024) Mena, Arkansas - After a sweep last weekend of SAU Tech, the Bucks wanted to keep the momentum going in the second round of region play that began this afternoon at Union Bank Field. The men hosted National Park College to kick off the 3-game series. Earlier this season, the Bucks took two of three games from the Nighthawks.

The Bucks found themselves down 4-0 after the first half of the first inning, but it didn't seem to bother the Bucks. The men had a 5-run bottom of the first off the big swings of Ian Smith (Bismarck, AR) and Trace Watkins (Sheridan, AR) to take the lead and never looked back to a 17-7 run-rule win over National Park.

The men scored every inning except for the second inning. The Bucks scored a pair of runs in the third, followed by a single run in the fourth and fifth innings. Then, the Bucks put up another 5-spot in the bottom of the sixth and ended the game with a 3-run seventh. 

Starting pitcher Ethan Diaz (Minneola, FL) settled in after a rough first inning and pitched a complete game, 7.0 innings. Diaz (4-2) gave up 7 runs (3 earned) on 9 hits, while only striking out 1 on the day.

Offensively, the Bucks scored 17 runs on 16 hits. The men walked 11 times and were hit by 5 pitches on the day. The Bucks also stole 10 bases on the day. Watkins and Smith both collected 5 RBIs on the day. 

Now, the Bucks are going for the series and season series win on Saturday in Hot Springs. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 pm at Majestic Park. 

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