Bucks swept in bi-district playoff

Bucks swept in bi-district playoff News Staff Tue, 05/07/2024 - 4:05 pm   Christian Arellano (16) congratulates Ashton Reyes after scoring a run during the first inning Friday, May 3 against Jacksboro. Photos/Mike Williams   Karter Smalley checks on a runner at first base during the second game of the Bucks bi-district playoff against Jacksboro in Graham. Photo/Mike Williams By Mike Williams news@breckenridgeamerican.com The Buckaroos’ baseball season came to an end last week in Graham. They were swept 2-0 by Jacksboro in their bi-district playoff series in Graham. Tigers 6, Bucks 1 Late defensive miscues and a struggle to get runners across home plate have put the Buckaroos’ backs against the wall in their bi-district playoff against Jacksboro. Errors in the fifth and sixth allowed the Tigers to score five unearned runs Wednesday, May 1 and defeat the Bucks 6-1. The Tigers pounced early with a run in the first inning, but the Buckaroos responded in the second inning. Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning, Christian Arellano drew a walk to lead off for the Buckaroos. Bryson Herring later drew a one-out walk to give the Bucks two runners. He later scored on a two-out single by Karter Smalley. The Buckaroos had an opportunity in the bottom half of the sixth inning with a pair of runners on base while training 6-1. Ashton Reyes and Christian Arellano hit consecutive one-out singles. Neither runner could score as Arellano was forced out at second on a fielder’s choice hit by Escalon and Escalon was caught stealing second base to end the inning. Alexis Franco hit a two-out single on a ground ball to right field for the Bucks in the bottom of the seventh inning, but could not advance further as Caiden Marin grounded out to end the game. We did not play our best defensively. At this point in the season you can’t afford to make those mistakes against a good team,” Buckaroos coach Jeremy West said. “It’s one thing if you play well and get beat, but we didn’t give it our best effort.” Marin and Reyes each had two hits for the Bucks. Arellano and Franco each had one hit. Arellano and Herring each drew one walk. Tigers 4, Bucks 1 Game two of the series took place Thursday and Friday, due to lightning with one out during the bottom of the fourth inning. The Buckaroos took the lead in the first inning but could not hold on. Reyes hit a two-out single with a ground ball into left field for the first of four combined hits by the Bucks. He stole second base before a line drive single to center field by Neiko Martinez. Reyes scored on the play while Martinez advanced to second base on the Tigers’ throw to home plate. With two outs in the bottom of the third inning, the Bucks had an opportunity to add to their lead. Reyes hit a two-out double with a line drive to center field. After hitting an RBI single in the first inning, Martinez was intentionally walked by the Tigers. Aaron Moore followed and lined out to center field. The Bucks were held without another hit until the top of the sixth inning when Moore hit a one-out single to right field. The Bucks had the bases loaded with two outs with Cam David and Junior Duran both on base following walks. Herring could not bring runners in and lined out to left field. In four pitches, the Bucks were retired in order to end the game in the seventh inning. Reyes earned two hits for the Bucks while Martinez and Moore each had one hit. Hitting was a struggle for the Bucks, who combined for 10 hits in the series while giving up 15. “It was just good baseball on both sides. They just clamped down when it came to those opportunities (to string hits together) and we couldn’t fine a way to push one through. We had multiple opportunities with runners on base and they made the big pitches to get us out.” The Bucks’ season ends with a final record of 22-6-1, including a second-place finish in District 8-3A at 12-2. Following graduation, the Buckaroos will see a lot of turnover going into next season with several three- and four-year starters graduating. West said while wins and losses are important to him, there are more important aspects to coaching. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch them come here and watch them as sophomores and freshmen, I’ve got to watch them grow,” he said. “I love watching them grow into young men and that’s the thing that I cherish about this profession. The seasons are going to come and go. You’re going to win some games and you’re going to lose some games, but it’s a great group of human beings in that dugout. I couldn’t be more proud of them.” Sports Log in to post comments