(April 12, 2025) Mena, Arkansas - Coming off a pair of run-rule losses on Thursday in Tishomingo, the Bucks wanted to rebound on Saturday at Union Bank Field against Murray State. After this weekend, the Bucks have three region series at home, including 10 of their next 12 region games at home. 

The Bucks dropped the opener on Saturday 4-2, but they rebounded to win 9-2 to salvage a game in the series. The men are 20-20 overall on the season and hold a 5-7 record through 12 games in Region II. 

The early story in the game was freshmen pitcher Hayden McCarley (Dewitt, AR). McCarley gave up 1 run on 3 hits in 6.0 innings of work, striking out 5 hitters. The Bucks gave him run support in the bottom of the second inning with 4 runs before adding 5 runs in the seventh and eighth innings to get the 9-2 win.

The Bucks scored their 9 runs on 13 hits in the contest. Ian Smith (Bismarck, AR) and Jack Bilski (La Porte, TX) both went 2 for 5 with a pair of RBIs in the contest along with Cody Hayes (Mildred, TX) going 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs. Smith and Bilski both hit doubles and were joined by Gage Mullins (McAlester, OK) and Layne Sweat (Derby, KS). 

Defensively, Shelby Anders (Baton Rouge, LA) stole the show at third base with a couple of diving stops that also started double plays. Anders also got it done with his bat, going 3 for 4 with a RBI.

McCarley (3-0) got his third win of the season on the mound, while Camden Farmer (Paragould, AR) pitched the final 3.0 innings, giving up a run and struck out 2 in the outing. 

The men will now play a home mid-week contest against Panola on Tuesday before traveling to NOC-Tonkawa on Thursday to begin a reigon series.

#DefendTheMountain