(March 6, 2024) Mena, Arkansas - Coming off a mid-week win yesterday, the Bucks are looking to keep momentum going after winning 3 of their last 4. The men began a 3-game region series this afternoon at Union Bank Field against ASU Mid-South.
It was a rough start for the Bucks in the top of the first. Starting pitcher Ethan Diaz (Minneola, FL) gave up a 3-run home run to trail 3-0 mid-way through the first. The Bucks offense had the bases loaded in the bottom half, but only got one run across on a sac fly by Trace Watkins (Sheridan, AR). ASU Mid-South picked up a pair of runs in the top of the second to extend their lead.
The 5-1 lead was very short lived with a 12-run bottom of the second inning. The Bucks walked 7 times in the inning. Big bats in the inning were led by Caleb Bryant (North Little Rock, AR) with a 2-run home run, his second of the season. Ian Smith (Bismarck, AR) picked up 3 RBIs in the inning with a 2-run double and a ground out. Bryant hit a sac fly in his second at-bat. Cody Hayes (Corsicana, TX) hit a 2-RBI single.
Diaz was done after a pair innings, and Riley Nicholson (Conway, AR) entered the game and threw a scoreless third inning and gave up an unearned run in the top of the fourth. Offensively, the Bucks score 3 runs in the bottom of the fourth to extend their lead. Brett Justice (Jacksonville, AR) hit a RBI double, followed by a Trevor Flake (North Little Rock, AR) RBI single. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk, Jack Bilski (La Porte, TX) got in the RBI category with a fielder's choice.
Camden Farmer (Paragould, AR) pitched the final 3.0 innings of the game, and he would not give up a run. The Bucks scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth on one swing of the bat by Brett Justice. The 2-run home run was the final runs of the game, as the Bucks picked up the 18-6 region win.
Riley Nicholson (1-0) gets credit for the win in 2.0 innings of work.
The Bucks record is now 6-15 overall, but more importantly, the men are 3-1 in region play. The Bucks will travel this weekend to ASU Mid-South in West Memphis to conclude the series.
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