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Bumbaugh signs with UCA

Photo Credit: Chuck Livingston

BUMBAUGH SIGNS WITH UCA

Marion head baseball coach Pete Prater knows a thing or two about pitchers, having been a professional hurler himself in the San Francisco Giants organization. So when he gives an endorsement, you tend to listen. Which is why his comments about senior right-hander Cohen “Jimmy” Bumbaugh stand out. “Jimmy is one who gives you a chance every time he takes the ball, no matter who they're throwing out there,” said Prater. “In this league, everybody has one guy who can pitch, and Jimmy is probably the best one out of all of them, and that's a good feeling as a coach.” Bumbaugh had a good feeling himself in late November when he signed to further his baseball and academic career at the University of Central Arkansas. “This is a really cool thing, I'm so excited about playing at UCA,” said Bumbaugh. “I'm ready to get there and get going.” Bumbaugh burst onto the scene as a sophomore after recovering from an injury that cost him much of his freshman year. Originally slated as a midweek starter and conference bullpen guy, Bumbaugh wound up starting seven league games and earning all-conference honors as Marion marched to the 2023 state quarterfinals. “He really kind of saved us that year,” said Prater. “You could see the stuff at times that year, he competed for us and showed you what he was gonna be capable of as he grew and got stronger.” Bumbaugh impressed as a sophomore, but he dazzled as a junior when he issued 20 fewer walks and struck out 20 more batters than his breakout 2023 season. The righty fired five no-hitters in his seven conference starts in 2024, earning all-state honors after crafting a microscopic .87 ERA with a staff-high 75 strikeouts. “I've just always loved playing baseball, even when I was really young,” said Bumbaugh. “It's just a lot of fun to me.” Central Arkansas recently revamped its baseball stadium and it has become one of the premiere facilities in the region, complete with a turf field and a revamped grandstand. UCA competes in the Division 1 ASUN, and the 2024 Bears reached the semifinals of the ASUN conference tournament.

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