By Loki DeWitt
On Jan. 29 the University Of Arkansas Rich Mountain Bucks officially kicked off the first baseball season in the school’s history in a big way as they traveled to Paris, Texas to take on the Paris Junior College Dragons.
Led by Coach Lance Spigner, the Bucks played valiantly in their initial outing. Despite the efforts of such players as pitcher Maddox Long who dazzled on the mound, and utility player Cole Clark who recorded the Bucks’ first hit of the season the score remained locked at 0 for five innings. The Bucks fortunes changed in the top of the sixth when outfielder Daegan Covington scored the first run to put the Bucks on the board. This was followed shortly by another score when infielder Mason Reynolds touched home as well. The Bucks did not get to enjoy these moments for long though, as the Dragons surged back a grand slam in the same inning that gave them the lead. The Bucks didn’t give up and fought back, finding home three more times, giving the Bucks back the lead in the seventh. In the same inning, relief pitcher Grant Shankle left the Dragons scoreless. The Bucks repeated this feat in the eighth. Both teams were scoreless in the ninth, which clinched victory for the Bucks to start the season.
Unfortunately, the Bucks would fall in the next two games, giving the Dragons the series. Despite this stumble, there is still plenty of season left for the Bucks to forge toward greatness as they continue to lay the groundwork for a team legacy that will stand for generations to come.
About Author
Jeri Pearson
Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.
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