(April 1, 2021) Mena, Arkansas – Coming off a split with Carl Albert State College, the Bucks hosted Region 2 foe Connors State College in a double header on Thursday afternoon. After getting run ruled in game 1, the Bucks would win 11-4 in game 2 to split with the Cowgirls. The Bucks are now 13-17 on the season and 3-5 in region play.
Game 1
With Gracie Kimbrell (North Little Rock, AR) in the circle, the Cowgirls would captalize on Bucks' errors and plate 6 runs in the top of the 1st inning and plate another 4 runs in the top of the 2nd. Brooke Detommaso (Las Vegas, NV) came on in relief in the 2nd inning.
The only offensive highlight for the Bucks was a single by Kristen McMillan (Winnsboro, TX) in the bottom of the 5th inning. She would advance to 2nd base on a wild pitch, but she would be stranded there. The Cowgirls would win 10-0 in 5 innings.
Game 2
Mena's own Autumn Powell got the start in the circle and would strand a runner off another Bucks' error. In the bottom of the 1st, Madelynn Lacaze (Union Grove, TX) would lead off with a single and advanced to 2nd on a ground out. She would advance to 3rd on the 2nd out of the inning. Gracie Kimbrell would pick up a RBI single to put the Bucks ahead 1-0 after an inning.
After a scoreless 2nd inning, the Cowgirls had the bases loaded and would plate a run after an out at home. They would plate 2 more runs on a double. Hannah Hunter (Malvern, AR) would come on in relief with 1 out. A fielder choice plated another run, but she was able to get out of the inning unscathed. In the bottom of the inning, Leah Wilkins (Van Buren, AR) singled before Madelynn Lacaze to centerfield. Both would advance to 2nd and 3rd on the throw. Maggie Lilly (Mt. Pleasant) singled to centerfield to plate both runners. Kristen McMillan singled before Gracie Kimbrell would double to plate Lilly from 2nd base. Next at-bat, Hannah Hunter singled to left field to score McMillan. With no outs, Maddi Miles (Jonesboro, AR) would ground out, but she picked up a RBI, plating Kimbrell. Lauren Buss (Clarksville, AR) then hit a sacrifice fly to plate Hunter. A flyout ended the inning, but the Bucks regained the lead 7-4 after 3 innings.
In the top of the 4th, Hannah Hunter got a flyout and a couple groundouts to put the Cowgirls down in order. Madelynn Lacaze led off the inning with a double and advanced to 3rd on a passed ball. After a walk and runners on the corners, the Bucks stole 2nd and forced an bad throw home to plate a run. With a runner on 3rd, Kristen McMillan hit a sacrifice fly to right field to plate pinch runner Ashlee Gurley (Logansport, LA). A strikeout ended the inning, but the Bucks lead 9-4 after 4 innings.
Hunter loaded the bases with 1 out in the top half, she would get a double play ball to end the inning, but the Bucks could not add to their lead in the bottom of the 5th. Hunter once again held the Cowgirls scoreless in the top of the 6th. With 1 out in the bottom half, Maggie Lilly singled to right field and then stole 2nd base. McMillan reached before Kimbrell hit into a fielder's choice to 3rd base. Kimbrell stole 2nd to put runners on 2nd and 3rd for Hannah Hunter. With 2 outs, she bunted to help her own cause and plated both runners and advanced to 2nd on an error. The Bucks extended their lead to 11-4 after 6 innings.
With 1 out in the 7th, Hunter walked a batter, but she got a fly out and strikeout to end the game. Bucks win 11-4.
In the relief appearance, Hannah Hunter (2-6) picked up her 2nd win of the season. She threw 4.2 innings giving up no runs on 1 out, while striking out and walking 3 apiece.
The Bucks have a layoff until next Thursday, where they will be home against Seminole State College. First pitch is at 2 pm.
#GOBUCKS