(February 27, 2026) Mena, Arkansas - After going 1-2 last weekend against ranked Pearl River Community College, the men took the mid-week off and returned to action this weekend at home against Ellsworth Community College. The Bucks and Panthers are playing a 4-game series this weekend at Union Bank Field. This is another first meeting for the Bucks. 

Through five innings of play, the Bucks found themselves behind 8-2. The pitching staff up to that point had given up 7 walks and 2 hit-by-pitches for free base runners for the Panthers. The bullpen went work for the Bucks that started with Corbin Miller (Sprio, OK), then he passed the ball to Kaden Akin (Hallsville, TX) in the eighth inning. Both gave up no runs during their time on the mound. 

Looking for signs of life at the plate, the Bucks found it in the bottom of the eighth inning in a big way. The men recorded 5 hits in the inning, including a pair by freshmen Jonathan Pickard II (Carlisle, AR) with a double that started the inning and a RBI single. The Bucks also took 6 free bases of their own with 5 walks and a hit-by-pitch, and also scored twice on passed balls. Dylan Gibson (Springdale, AR) grounded out for an RBI in the inning, while lead off Luke Brister (Deridder, LA) and Jake Powell (Lindale, TX) each had 2 RBIs in the inning to round out the 8-run inning.

Maddox Hampton (Jonesboro, AR) came on in the nineth inning for the save opportunity. He record a fly out and a pair of strikeouts for his first save of the season. Kaden Akin (1-0) got his first college win in 1.0 innings of work, giving up no runs or hits in the inning. 

UARM and Ellsworth face off again on Saturday at 12 pm for a doubleheader at Union Bank Field.

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