Smackover outlasts Junction City 10-5

JUNCTION CITY - With a critical conference game looming on the horizon and in the throws of a five-game losing streak, Smackover was in need of regaining some momentum.

On Wednesday, the Bucks found the right tonic, banging out 10 hits to back a combined seven-hitter by Noah Wilson and Jacob Eubanks, as Smackover outlasted Junction City 10-5 in a battle between Union County rivals.

The Bucks (7-15) snapped their five-game skid and earned a split of two games with their Union County rival, while the Dragons (20-7) lost their second straight after winning 12 consecutive games dating back to the end of March.

The schools last met nearly two months ago during the first week of the season with the Dragons prevailing 5-1.

On that day, Bryce Ware and T.J. Bale combined on a four-hitter with 16 strikeouts.

But the Bucks made sure there would be no repeat performance.

Smackover took the lead for good by scoring five runs in the third to take a 7-2 lead after the game was knotted at 2-all.

Bailey Rivers, who was 2-for-3 with three RBIs, drove in a pair of runs in the third with a single.

A sophomore, Rivers also singled home a run in the second.

In their last two losses to Genoa Central and Ashdown, the Bucks let late leads get away, but after the Dragons scored three runs in the sixth to pull within 7-5, the visitors answered with three runs of their own in the seventh with Josh Saulsbury driving in a pair of runs with a two-out double.

Wilson picked up the win after allowing five runs (three earned) over 5 1/3 innings.

He allowed six hits, walked seven, hit a batter and recorded three strikeouts.

Eubanks came on in relief in the sixth and picked up the save.

A sophomore, Eubanks worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and one walk with no strikeouts.

In addition to Rivers, the Bucks had three players with two hits in the win.

Saulsbury finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Braden Doherty and Baylor Brumley were both 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Jackson Cook was 1-for-3 with an RBI and Eubanks was 1-for-3 to round out the Bucks’ attack.

Ware led Junction City’s attack by going 3-for-3 with a trio of singles.

Kristian Hodge also had a multi-hit game by going 2-for-2 for the Dragons, who left 10 men on base.

Jack Smith drove in two runs while going 1-for-2, including an RBI groundout in the Dragons’ three-run sixth.

Gabe Richard was 1-for-4 with an RBI and Ty Disotell had an RBI groundout in the second for Junction City.

Ware took the loss after allowing six runs and four hits in 2 2/3 innings.

He walked two, hit two batters and struck out four.

Disotell pitched well in relief, allowing five hits and one run in four innings of work. He walked one and struck out seven.

Smackover will host Prescott in a 7-3A showdown Friday at 4:30 p.m., while Junction City will conclude its regular season Saturday against McCrory in a game that will be played at Parkers Chapel.

Upcoming Events