Bucks fall to Rams

News-Times Staff MAGNOLIA - Six twoout runs in the fourth ultimately did in Smackover, as the Bucks fell to Hot Springs Lakeside 14-4 in the opening round of the Magnolia Tournament on Thursday.

Trailing 8-4 with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, the Bucks were one out away from having the opportunity to continue their comeback bid, but an error extended the inning, and the Rams took advantage by scoring six runs to make the final margin.

The Bucks scored single runs in the first four innings to account for their

scoring.

In the first, Tucker Evans singled and later took third on an errant pickoff throw.

The Bucks then loaded the bases after Brennan McKnight was hit by a pitch and Cade Schibler reached on catcher's interference.

Clay Stringer, who was 2-for-3 in the game, then delivered an RBI single to left.

McKnight collected an RBI in the second after drawing a bases-loaded walk, and Baylor Brumley drove in the Bucks' run in the third with a sacrifice fly.

Colt Aycock scored Smackover's final run of the game on a misplayed ground ball off of Stringer's bat in the fourth.

In addition to Stringer, Nick Jennings went 2-for-3 in the contest.

Braden McKinnon, McKnight and Brumley each had one hit for the Bucks, who had eight singles against the Rams.

Schibler suffered the loss on the mound after failing to retire any of the three batters he faced.

Josh Saulsbury pitched four innings in relief, allowing 11 hits and 11 runs, but only four of the runs were earned.

He walked two, hit two batters and didn't record any strikeouts.

Smackover (5-8) will take on Genoa Central this morning at 9 a.m.