(March 29, 2021) Poteau, Oklahoma – Coming off their 11-inning loss on Saturday, the Bucks travelled to take on DII Region foe, Carl Albert State College. After dropping game 1, the Bucks responded with a 8-1 win in game 2. The Bucks record is now 12-16 and 2-4 in region play.
Game 1
Getting the game started, Madelynn Lacaze (Union Grove, TX) stepped into the box and hit a line drive double to left center to get it started. After a 1 out walk, Kristen McMillan (Winnsboro, TX) came to the plate with 2 outs and hit a single to right field to score Lacaze. But, the Bucks would be thrown out trying to steal 3rd in the next at-bat. Getting the start in the circle, Hannah Hunter (Malvern, AR) gave up a leadoff walk and was taken deep to give Carl Albert the 2-1 lead after an inning.
The Bucks tied the game up in the 2nd inning. After reaching on a walk, Mackenzie Person (Bonham, TX) was sacrificed to 2nd by Lauren Buss (Clarksville, AR). With 2 outs, Ashton Daniel (Rockwall, TX) singled to centerfield to plate Person. Hunter held the Lady Vikings scoreless in the bottom half. Game was tied 2-2 after 2 innings.
Both teams went scoreless in the 3rd inning, and the Bucks went scoreless again in the top of the 4th. In the bottom half, Hunter loaded the bases and was chased from the game with 1 out. Brooke Detommaso (Las Vegas, NV) came on in relief and surrendered a grand slam. Carl Albert led 6-2 after 4 innings.
Leading off the 5th inning, Ashton Daniel singled up the middle and was hit home on Madelynn Lacaze's RBI double. Lacaze advanced to 3rd on the throw home, but she would stay there as the Bucks went in order after that. The Lady Vikings would add 4 runs again in the bottom half. Gracie Kimbrell came on in relief of Detommaso to end the inning.
The Bucks were held scoreless in the top of the 6th, and Carl Albert was able to plate a run to end the game in the 6th. Autumn Powell (Mena, AR) came on in relief to start the 6th inning. Bucks fall 11-3.
In the loss, Hannah Hunter (1-6) threw 3.1 innings and gave up 5 runs on 4 hits while striking out and walking 4 apiece.
Game 2
Looking to rebound, the Bucks picked up 4 runs in the top of the 1st. After 3 straight singles, Gracie Kimbrell would single on a line drive to plate Ashton Daniel. The Bucks were thrown out at home trying to plate 2 runs on the play. Next at-bat, Kristen McMillan singled to centerfield to plate Maggie Lilly (Mt. Pleasant, TX). After a 2 out walk, Hannah Hunter doubled to score both Kimbrell and McMillan. In the circle, Gracie Kimbrell got the start and gave up a single, but a double play ended the inning with the Bucks ahead 4-0.
Ashton Daniel led off again with a single up the middle and would advance to 2nd on the next at-bat. She would score with 1 out on an error by the Lady Vikings. That would be the only run by the Bucks in the inning. Kimbrell gave up a double and a walk, but she would get a strikeout and ground out to end the inning. Bucks led 5-0 after 2 innings.
The Lady Vikings picked up a run on a solo homer. But, the Bucks would get that run back and then another. After a hit-by-pitch, fielder's choice, the Bucks plated a run on an error. Gracie Kimbrell would add to the lead with a sacrifice fly to centerfield to plate Lacaze. But, the Bucks would strikeout twice to end the inning. In the bottom half, Kimbrell gave up a single to right field, but the Bucks got a ground out and a double play to end the inning. Bucks lead 7-1.
After a scoreless 5th inning, Maggie Lilly led off for the Bucks with a double to left centerfield and advanced to 3rd on a pass ball with 1 out. She would score on another pass ball. But, the Bucks would line out and ground out to end the half inning. Kimbrell once again stranded runners and got a line out to end the Lady Vikings scoring threat in the 6th.
The Bucks went scoreless in the 7th to setup Kimbrell to close out the game in the bottom half. She would give up a lead off single, but she got a flyout and 2 ground outs to end the game. Bucks win 8-1.
Gracie Kimbrell (6-8) pitched a complete game giving up 1 run on 6 hits, while striking out 3 and walking 2.
The Bucks play again at home on Thursday against Connors State College. First pitch is scheduled for 2 pm.
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