(March 3, 2022) Mena, Arkansas – Coming off a sweeping a doubleheader at Central Baptist College on Tuesday, the Bucks looked to keep the momentum going at home this afternoon. The ladies opened up Region 2 play against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M at Cummings-Cecil Field.

GAME ONE

Caitlyn Mayo (Bigelow, AR) got the start in the circle for the Bucks. She would pick up the no decision, throwing 9.0 innings. Caitlyn gave up 5 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits, while striking out 5 and walking 3 in the outing.

The Bucks gave up a run in the top of the first and stranded the bases loaded in the bottom half to trail 1-0 after an inning. The next three innings would be a pitcher's duel. NEO loaded the bases and threatened in the top of the fifth inning, but Mayo got the ground ball she was looking for to the shortstop to get out of the inning unscathed.

After another scoreless inning, NEO added a couple of runs in the top of the seventh inning to extend their lead to 3-0. The Bucks had one chance to win or extend the game in the bottom half. The Bucks got back-to-back singles to start the inning. After a fielder's choice, pinch hitter Natalee Dinnerville (Carthage, TX) singled to centerfield to pick a RBI. Two hitters later with the bases loaded, Abi West (Ida, AR) hit a line drive to centerfield to plate 2 runs to tie the game at 3-3 to extend the game to extra innings.

After a scoreless eighth inning and starting pitcher Caitlyn Mayo still in the circle, NEO plated 2 runs in the top half. The Bucks would once again try to win or extend the game in the bottom of the nineth. The Bucks loaded the bases with 2 outs, Madelynn Lacaze (Gladewater, TX) hit a 2 RBI single to once again tie the game and send it to another inning.

Brooke Detommaso (Las Vegas, NV) came on to pitch in the top of the tenth inning. She would give up a solo home run to the lead off hitter in the inning, so the Bucks would need a run to extend the game, but the Bucks would be unsuccessful and fall 6-5 in ten innings.

Detommaso (2-1) took the loss in her one inning of work. The solo home run would be her only hit given up in the game.

GAME TWO

Blaire Gentry (Lockesburg, AR) got the start in the circle for the Bucks. She would pitch 5.0 innings, giving up 5 runs on 3 hits. Gentry struck out and walked 4 hitters apiece.

Both teams went scoreless the first two innings of the contest. NEO broke open the scoring with 2 runs in the third inning. The Lady Norse would add 3 more runs in the top of the fifth inning on a 3-run homer to extend their lead to 5-0.

To start the top of the sixth, Presleigh Payne (Grapevine, TX) would move to the circle in relief. She would give up 4 runs in the half inning to extend NEO's lead to 9-0. In the bottom half of the inning, the Bucks plated a run on a Chloe Ray (Fort Smith, AR) RBI triple to right field. But, the Bucks needed 2 runs to extend the game and would fall 9-1.

Blaire Gentry (1-2) would take the loss for the game.

The Bucks are back in action on Saturday at #6 Seminole State. The doubleheader is set for 2 & 4 pm.

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