Bucks Head Back Into Conference Play

The Bucks, winners of 10 of their previous 13 contests, were scheduled to travel to Cleveland St. this past weekend, but weather forced the three-game series to be postponed. The two were scheduled to play Sunday, Mar. 14 and Monday, Mar. 15, but we have not yet heard the status of these contests.

Motlow's next home contest is scheduled for Thursday, Mar. 18, when Jolliet College, IL visits the Driver Baseball Complex for a 1pm doubleheader.

Bucks Split Weekend, Home Tuesday

The Bucks will return to action on Tuesday, Mar. 9 when they host Marshalltown for a 12 noon doubleheader. A critical conference three-game series, the first of the season, awaits Motlow this weekend when they travel to Cleveland St. for a single game on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday.

Saturday's opener against Dyersburg saw Colton Robertson (3-1) extend his consecutive scoreless inning streak to 22 before Dyersburg snapped it with a solo home run in the third inning. Robertson took the loss, despite allowing only four hits and striking out seven in seven innings.

The Bucks fell behind 2-0 before tying the score with two runs in the bottom of the fourth as Cody Midgett slammed a two-run homer, his fourth of the season. Dyersburg's pitchers kept the Bucks' offense at bay early and late though to get the win.

"We didn't do enough offensively early in the game," said Bucks coach Dan McShea. "This one came down to execution and give Dyersburg credit they executed better than we did."

Game two was another exciting contest that came down to the last at-bat. Michael Watkins got the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth to give the Bucks the win, one of three hits on the day for Watkins.

Andy Southard pitched well for 7.2 innings, allowing three runs and striking out four. Tyler Harris (3-0) picked up the win by allowing only one hit over the final 1.1 innings. Zac Mitchell hit his fifth home run, a two-run shot in the fifth that gave the Bucks a 3-2 lead. Justin Brewer and Mitchell each had two hits on the day as Motlow out-hit Dyersburg 10-8.

"Dyersburg St. is an excellent team," added McShea. "They are difficult to pitch to and I though our pitchers did very well during both games."

Sunday's first contest in Gadsden, AL against Gadsden St. saw Michael Taylor (3-1) pitch an absolute gem, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing his first hit. He was pulled after the sixth, replaced by Aaron Pearson who pitched a hitless seventh inning.

"Michael Taylor didn't have is best stuff or his best control today," said McShea. "He battled though and carried a no hitter into the sixth inning."

The Bucks jumped on top early, scoring one in the first inning, two in the second, and two more in the third. For the game Motlow had nine hits and took advantage of four Gadsden errors.

Zac Mitchell raised his batting average to .413 by going 2-3, including his fourth double and his 16th RBI, while also stealing his third base of the season. Kirkland Wheeler and Justin Brewer also had two hits, and Michael Watkins drove in two runs with a double. Watkins also has 16 RBI on the season and three doubles.

Gadsden took advantage of a seemingly tired Bucks squad in Sunday's second contest, jumping out to a 6-0 lead after three innings then invoking the 10-run rule by scoring six in the bottom of the sixth inning.

B.J. Walker (0-3) took the loss on the mound for Motlow, allowing seven hits and four earned runs in three innings. Two Motlow errors didn't help Walker's cause. Miles Canady tossed the final two innings, giving up six runs.

Wheeler was 2-3 offensively, raising his season average to .328 while driving in two runs. He currently leads the Bucks with 17 RBI. Mitchell had Motlow's only other hit as the Bucks offense just couldn't get untracked.

Email Coach Dan McShea