(April 15, 2021) Mena, Arkansas – Coming off a split with NOC-Enid on Tuesday, the Bucks hosted Eastern Oklahoma State. This doubleheader concluded the season series with the Bucks and EOSC.
Game 1
With Gracie Kimbrell (North Little Rock, AR) in the circle, EOSC led off with triple and were able to produce a couple runs in the top of the 1st. The Bucks were able to get 1 in the bottom half. Madelynn Lacaze (Union Grove, TX) reached on a walk with 1 out before she stole 2nd and advanced to 3rd on an error. Maggie Lilly (Mt. Pleasant, TX) hit a RBI double to plate Lacaze. Bucks trailed 2-1 after an inning.
In the top of the 2nd, EOSC picked up another run to lead 3-1 after 2 innings. Kimbrell threw up a zero in the top of the 3rd, and the Bucks tied the game with 2 runs. Avery Cotten (Longview, TX) singled to lead off the inning before advancing to 2nd on an error. With 1 out, Maggie Lilly singled to center to plate Cotten. Kimbrell reached on an error before Kristen McMillan (Winnsboro, TX) bunted for a single to load the bases. Two hitters later, Madison Humphry (Murfreesboro, AR) singled to left field to plate Lilly to tie the game at 3-3.
In the 4th inning, EOSC regained their lead by scoring 2 runs and holding the Bucks scoreless. The Bucks would then hold EOSC scoreless before the Bucks tied the game in the bottom of the 5th on 1 swing. Lilly walked to bring Gracie Kimbrell to the plate. She would hit a 2-run homer over the right centerfield fence to tie the game at 5-5 after 5 innings.
EOSC scored 2 more runs in the top of the 6th to take a 7-5 lead heading into the 7th inning. Kimbrell was able to put up a zero in the top of the frame to give the Bucks a chance to tie or win the game. Lilly led off with a single before Gracie Kimbrell's double to centerfield. Kristen McMillan hit into a fielder's choice but plated Lilly. Ashlee Gurley (Logansport, LA) pinch ran for Kimbrell and advanced to 3rd. McMillan stole 2nd in the next at-bat to put runners on 2nd and 3rd and no outs. After a fly out, Madison Humphry would squeeze bunt and score Gurley, but EOSC would get the out at 1st and get McMillan over running the bag at 3rd. The game headed into extra innings tied at 7-7.
In the top of the 8th, EOSC was able to add a run to take a 8-7 lead. In the bottom half, Ashton Daniel (Rockwall, TX) singled with 1 out. Two hitters later, Madelynn Lacaze singled to left field and advanced Daniel to 3rd. Maggie Lilly would tie the game on a line drive to left field and scored Daniel to send the game into the 9th innings.
EOSC would hit a 3-run homer in the top of the 9th to win the game 11-8.
In the loss, Gracie Kimbrell (7-11) gave up 11 runs (7 earned) on 12 hits, while striking out 2 and walking 4. Brooke Detommaso (Las Vegas, NV) came in on relief and threw 0.2 innings to finish out the game.
Game 2
With Hannah Hunter (Malvern, AR) in the circle, EOSC would go down in order to start the game. The Bucks got the offense going in a big way in the bottom half. Madelynn Lacaze singled before Kristen McMillan doubled. After a Maggie Lilly walk, Gracie Kimbrell grounded into a fielder's choice to plate Lacaze, but an error kept all safe and allowed McMillan to score. Leah Wilkins then grounded out to score Lilly. With 1 out and a runner on 3rd, Maddi Miles (Jonesboro, AR) singled to plate Kimbrell. After a pitching change, Ashlee Gurley kept it going on a line drive that put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Hannah Hunter would help her own cause with a 2-RBI single. She would then score on an error that allowed Lauren Buss to reach safely. After a Lacaze single, Kristen McMillan grounded out to plate Buss to give the Bucks an 8-0 lead after an inning.
After a scoreless 2nd inning, EOSC plated 3 runs in the top of the 3rd. The Bucks would get 2 runs in the bottom half. Lauren Buss led off with a single. With 1 out, Buss advanced on a wild pitch before Kristen McMillan hit an RBI single. McMillan advanced on a wild pitch before Maggie Lilly scored her on a hard ground ball to centerfield. Bucks had a 10-3 lead after 3 innings.
Both teams added a run a piece in the 4th inning. Ashlee Gurley reached on a fielder's choice, before Hannah Hunter singled. Lauren Buss would then single to centerfield to plate Gurley, and Hunter was thrown out at the plate.
In the top of the 5th, EOSC added runs on a 2-run homer. With 1 out, Kristen McMillan would hit her 5th homer of the season, a solo shot. But, that's all the Bucks could produce. After 5 innings, the Bucks led 12-6.
A scoreless 6th inning took the game into the 7th with the Bucks needing 3 outs to win. EOSC would hit a 2-run homer in the top half, but the Bucks win 12-8.
In the win, Hannah Hunter (3-7) pitched a complete game, giving up 8 runs on 9 hits. She would strike out and walk 4 apiece.
The Bucks will travel to Altus, OK this weekend for a doubleheader with Western Oklahoma State College.
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