January 30^th (Paris, TX) – The Bucks and Dragons squared off in a rubber match after splitting the first 2 games. An 8 run 3^rd inning would make the difference. The Bucks fell 11-6 allowing the Dragon's to win the 3 game series.

James McCormick (Benton, AR) started the game on the mound for the Bucks and threw a scoreless first inning with 2 strikeouts and stranding a runner. The Bucks couldn't generate any offense in the first two innings. The Dragons started the scoring off after a Bucks error scoring 2 runs to lead 2-0 after 2.

The Bucks responded in the 3^rd inning. Isaac Price (Siloam Springs, AR) singled and advanced on a Dragons error during Luke Hindman's (Sherwood, AR) at bat. Next at-bat, Luke Rice (Scott, AR) singled and scored Price. However, the Dragons offense would capitalize in the next half inning. Between hits and Bucks errors, the Dragons scored 8 runs to lead 10-1 after 3. McCormick was chased in the inning. Randy Little Jr. (Pine Bluff, AR) came in for relief.

The 4^th inning went scoreless as Little kept the Dragons offense in check. The Bucks bats would wake up in the top half of the 3^rd. Luke Hindman led off with a solo homerun (1^st of the season). After 2 quick outs, Preston Lee (Maumelle, AR) and Dugan Jones, Jr. (Rose Bud, AR) reached base and setup Eli Garrison's (North Little Rock, AR) 2 run double. But, the Bucks would leave the bases loaded to end the inning. Randy Little Jr. once again threw a scoreless inning to keep the Dragons' lead to 10-4.

The Bucks went scoreless in the 6^th. Two Bucks errors led to a Dragons run. Little got a double play and fly out to end the inning. Dragons lead 11-4. The Bucks went scoreless again in the top of the 7^th after Price's barreled line drive gets caught and Doucet was doubled off at 2^nd base. Little completed his 3^rd full inning unscathed in the bottom of the 7^th.

The Bucks would chip into the Dragons lead in the top half of the 8th. Luke Rice hit a no doubt solo homerun (2). Brice Cagle (Sherwood, AR) would walk, advance on a wild pitch and advanced to 3^rd on Lee's ground out to second Cagle would score on another wild pitch. Little's day was done, and Brayden Ross (Charleston, AR) would come in to start the 8^th inning. Ross got 2 flyouts and a strikeout to end the 8^th inning. Dragons still lead 11-6.

The Bucks would go in order in the 9^th. Dragons would win the series.

The Bucks will be back in action on Thursday, February 4^th, for their home opener at Union Bank Field at McMillan Park for a doubleheader verses Northeast Texas Community College. First pitch is 1 pm.

#GOBUCKS