(April 30, 2021) Mena, Arkansas – Coming off getting swept last week by Murray State and losing a midweek game to Bossier Parrish, the Bucks looked to get back on track against region foe Carl Albert State College.
Game 1
Maddox Long (Morrilton, AR) got the start for the Bucks. After hitting the first batter of the game, he got a double play and pop out to end the top of the 1st. The Bucks would load the bases in the bottom half in what looked like a productive inning, but an infield fly and strike out ended the inning.
Both teams would strand 2 runners in the 2nd inning before Long would put down the Vikings in order in the 3rd inning, but the Bucks grounded in the double play ball ended the 3rd inning. Long cruised through the 4th, but the Bucks could not produce any offense to back him up. The Vikings would end up scoring a run in the 5th and 6th innings to take a 2-0 lead into the 7th inning.
Long pitched a complete game, but the Bucks were unable to produce any run support in the 7th inning. Carl Albert took the first game of the series, 2-0.
Game 2
Grant Shankle (Van Buren, AR) got the start and surrendered 4 runs in the top of the 1st inning. In the 2nd, Cole Clark (Clarksville, AR) singled with 1 out to get it started. Two hitters later, Luke Rice (Scott, AR) hit a 2-run homer to right field to cut into the Vikings lead.
Both teams went scoreless in the 2nd and 3rd innings before Carl Albert scratched across a run in the top of the 4th. The Bucks seemed to break out of their slump in the bottom half with a 7 run inning. A hit-by-pitch and back-to-back singles loaded the bases for Eli Garrison (North Little Rock, AR). Eli would single to score Luke Rice. Another single by Isaac Price (Siloam Springs, AR) scored Dan Taylor (Rogers, AR). After a strikeout, the bases were still loaded and leadoff hitter, Mason Reynolds (Fort Worth, TX), made the most of it. Mason hit a line drive over the left field wall to clear the bases. The Bucks weren't done yet. Next at-bat, Cole Clark hit a solo shot that hit off the scoreboard in right field. The Bucks led 9-5 after 4 innings.
Shankle gave up a run in the top of the 5th inning, but the Bucks would provide more run support in the bottom half. After a walk and single, a sac bunt moved the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Back from injury, Adam Quinn (Texarkana, TX) walked to load the bases. During the next at-bat, Wesley Featherston (Hope, AR) would score on a pass ball before Cole Clark hit a sac fly to plate Garrison. The runs gave the Bucks an 11-6 lead.
Shankle settled in and put-up back-to-back zeros in the 6th and 7th innings. The Bucks were unable to produce any runs in the bottom of either inning. Shankle was able to record 2 outs in the 8th inning before giving up a double. Drake Fontenot (Bossier City, LA) came on to pitch and struck out the only batter he faced in the inning.
Leading off the 8th inning, Cole Clark doubled to right centerfield. After 2 outs, Dan Taylor hit the full count pitch up the middle to score Clark. After a 2-out walk, Taylor would steal 3rd base and score on Eli Garrison's RBI single. The single put runners on the corners. Isaac Price would hit a line drive to right field to plate Randy Little Jr. and advanced Garrison to 3rd. An error on a pick off move plated Garrison and advanced Price to 3rd base, but a strikeout ended the inning. The Bucks got 4 runs and increased their lead to 15-6 heading into the top of the 9th.
Fontenot came out and retired the Vikings in order to win the game.
Grant Shankle (6-3) picks up the win, and the Bucks evened their record at 23-23 overall and 11-11 in region play.
The Bucks and Vikings conclude the series tomorrow in Poteau.
#GOBUCKS