(February 18, 2024) Millington, TN - Picking up their first win last week at Union Bank Field over ASU Three Rivers, the Bucks hit the road for USA Stadium in Millington for a 5-game set this weekend in the Flag City Classic. The Bucks faced #6 Iowa Central on Friday, Olney Central and #17 Lincoln Land on Saturday, and finished with Lincoln Land and Southwest Tennessee this afternoon. 

The men found themselves in some close ball games over the weekend and had leads in 3 of the games but were only able to pull out a 5-3 win over Olney Central. The Bucks held a 7-2 lead against Iowa Central on Friday but surrendered 8 runs in the final two innings to fall in the contest. The men also fought back and were tied in contests with Lincoln Land and Southwest Tennessee but fell in both games. After going 1-4 on the weekend, UARM's overall record is 2-10 overall. 

Offensively, the Bucks seemed scored 26 runs in 5 games and outhit their opponents 40 to 39, but the men stranded 75 runners over the weekend. Jack Bilski (La Porte, TX) and Diego Archila (Baton Rouge, LA) led the Bucks with 6 hits, followed by Ian Smith (Bismarck, AR) and Trace Watkins (Sheridan, AR) with 5 hits. Bilski, Watkins, and Smith all had multiple extra bases hits. Bilski drove in a team high 8 runs in the 5 games. Aiden McGinnis (Jasper, AL) continue to be a ball magnet and was hit 4 times over the weekend.

On the mound, the Bucks were able to get good outings out of starting pitchers Ethan Diaz (Mineola, FL) and Austin Rainey (Conway, AR). Both threw 7.0 innings in their starts and would each strike out 9 hitters in the outings. Rainey got the complete game win on Saturday morning over Olney Central. The Bucks gave up 40 runs on 39 hits. The staff struck out 41 hitters and walked 30 on the weekend. 

The Bucks now turn their attention to a mid-week contest against Bossier Parish on Tuesday in Bossier City, LA. Then, the men return home for a doubleheader against Connors State on Saturday. 

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