On March 31, the Bucs started Southern Conference competition. They played the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in a three-game series.
The Bucs came into the series off a tough loss against Radford on Tuesday, which dropped their record to 12-9.
In the first inning, the Bucs’ offense was solid, scoring two runs when Christian Bailey (Kingsport, Tenn.) singled through the left side to help base runner Aaron Maher (Brentwood, Tenn.) advance to second and Hagen Owenby (Knoxville, Tenn.) advance to third. This allowed Blake Rowlett (Clarksville, Tenn.) to score, giving the Bucs a 1-0 lead.
The Bucs got their second score of the game when Cullen Smith (Lebanon, Tenn.) flied out to center field to help Maher advance to third and bring Owenby in for a score. The Bucs went into the second inning up 2-0.
The Bucs’ offense did not slow down in the second inning, scoring four runs to give them a 6-0 lead.
After a scoreless third inning, the Bucs scored three more runs in the fourth inning to go up 9-0.
The Bucs finished the game by scoring a run in the sixth and seventh inning to win 11-0. Bucs pitcher Ryan Simpler (Lewes, Del.) threw a complete game, not giving up a single run while striking out seven batters. With the win, the Bucs’ record improved to 13-9.
Game two of the series was much more competitive. After two straight scoreless innings, UNCG got on the scoreboard first, scoring one run in the third inning. The Bucs’ offense did not generate any offense in the first three innings.
UNCG increased their lead in the top of the fourth after a score to lead 2-0 going into the bottom of the fourth. The Bucs were able to respond with an offense of their own, scoring two runs to tie the game going into the fifth inning. Neither team’s offense got going in the sixth, which kept the score tied at 2-2 heading into the sixth inning.
Then the UNCG offense caught fire, scoring five runs in the sixth inning then two in the seventh to lead 9-2 going into the eighth. The Bucs attempted a comeback, scoring two runs in the eighth inning and three runs in the ninth inning. Ultimately they fell 9-7.
In game three of the series the Bucs defense couldn’t contain UNCG’s offense, losing 12-2.
