(May 3, 2021) Checotah, Oklahoma – With the Region 2 Tournament almost a week away, the Bucks still have 6 remaining games on the schedule to determine their fate. The Bucks travelled to Checotah High School to take on Connors State College.
Game 1
In the first game of the double header, the Bucks would struggle to score runs. The Bucks scored their loan run in the 3rd inning. tripled with 1 out before Ashton Daniel's RBI single to third base. The Bucks would Maddi Miles record 6 hits on the day.
In the circle, Hannah Hunter (3-12) went the distance, giving up 7 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits. She would give up 3 runs in the 1st, 1 run in the 2nd, and 3 runs in the 3rd inning in the 7-1 loss to the Cowgirls.
Game 2
Coming off the loss, the Bucks looked to rebound. In the top of the 1st inning, the Bucks scratched across a run. Maggie Lilly drew a 2-out walk before Gracie Kimbrell singled to advance Lilly to 3rd. Madelynn Lacaze would then single to plate Lilly to give the Bucks a 1-0 advantage. In the bottom half, Gracie Kimbrell got the start in the circle and surrendered a run that tied the game at 1-1 after an inning.
After the 1st, Kimbrell settled in a cruised through the 2nd through 6th innings, giving up no runs. The Bucks would plate 2 runs in both the 4th and 5th innings.
In the 4th, Lacaze and Maddi Miles would hit back-to-back singles. With 1 out, both runners advanced on a wild pitch before Kristen McMillan would hit a 2-RBI triple to give the Bucks a 3-1 lead. An inning later, Maggie Lilly reached on an error with 1 out before Gracie Kimbrell doubled. Lacaze loaded the bases, reaching on catcher's interference. Lilly scored on Maddi Miles' 2-RBI single to left field that scored Lilly and Kimbrell. The runs gave the Bucks a 5-1 lead after 5 innings.
After a scoreless 6th, Kimbrell gave herself an insurance run with a solo homer in the top of the 7th to extend the Bucks lead. In the bottom half, she would give up 3 runs, but Kimbrell got a ground out to end the game. Bucks win 6-4.
Gracie Kimbrell (11-13) pitched a complete game (7 innings), giving up 4 runs on 9 hits while striking out 13.
The split gives the Bucks a 19-33 record overall and a 9-19 record in region play.
The Bucks play again tomorrow at home against NOC-Enid in an important match-up with region tournament seedings on the line.
#GOBUCKS