(March 14, 2026) Mena, Arkansas - After a doubleheader sweep last Sunday against National Park, the Bucks began region play this week against Carl Albert State College. The first doubleheader was in Poteau on Thurday before concluding on Saturday at Union Bank Field at McMillan Park.

UARM had a rough start to the series, getting run-ruled at Mark Pollard Park on Thursday, but Saturday was a new day. The Bucks won both games in comeback fashion. The first game was a walk-off win in the bottom of the seventh inning, 4-3. Rowdy Hand (Fairfield, TX) was the hero in the game. Hand hit a RBI single to right field to get the win. The day ended with another late inning push to get a 6-5 win to begin region play 2-2. Overall, the Bucks are 11-13 on the season.

At the plate, nobody had a better series than Aiden Poirier (Richmond, TX). The infielder/pitcher hit .818 in four games with 9 hits that included 4 doubles and a home run. He would drive in 3 runs and scored 4 runs of his own. Sophomore outfielder Ethan Miller (Hallsville, TX) had 6 hits, including a double and scored 5 runs. Miller also stole 4 bags on the week. Hand, Dylan Gibson (Springdale, AR), and Andrew Stancin (Fernandina, FL) each had 4 hits in the series, while Bryson Denning (Longview, TX) recorded 3 hits. Ben Welch (Coppell, TX) joined Miller with 3 RBIs. 

Nicholas Patterson (Leachville, AR) went the distance in the 7-inning game on Saturday. Patterson (3-3) evened his season record, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on just 4 hits. He would strikeout 5 in the outing. Maddox Hampton (Jonesboro, AR) pitched the final 3-innings of the weekend, facing 11 hitters and striking out 5. Hampton (2-1) gave up 2 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits. 

The Bucks will now have a week off from region play, but they will play a mid-week game on Tuesday at home against Bossier Parish before beginning a 4-game series with Eastern Oklahoma State College. UARM will be home on Thursday for a doubleheader before finishing the series on Saturday in Wilburton.

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