(March 13, 2022) Mena, Arkansas – Coming off a run-rule win over #11 Murray State on Thursday, the Bucks looked to continue their momentum against Arkansas State University's Club Team this afternoon at Cummings-Cecil Field.

GAME ONE

Blaire Gentry (Lockesburg, AR) would get the start in the circle for the Bucks, and she would throw a shutout for six innings. She gave up 2 runs in the top of the seventh inning, but Blaire would strikeout 9 hitters on the afternoon.

Offensively, the Bucks scored a single run in each of the first three innings of the contest. A lead-off walk in the bottom of the first by Jah'Kaiya Woods (Little Rock, AR) lead to her scoring after stealing second base. Madelynn Lacaze (Gladewater, TX) would single to left field to plate the first run of the game. Next inning, Kaylin McKee (Wickes, AR) hit her first home run of the season, a solo shot to left field. Not to be outdone, Chloe Ray (Fort Smith, AR) did the same thing in the bottom of the third to give the Bucks a 3-0 lead.

With Gentry rolling in the circle, Madelynn Lacaze extended the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. She hit the first pitch she saw in the at-bat and belted a 2-run bomb to left field to make it 5-0 in favor the home team. Gentry continued to cruise in the sixth before giving up 2 runs in the top of the seventh, but the Bucks would hold on the 5-2 win.

Blaire Gentry (4-3) went the distance to pick up the win for the Bucks.

GAME TWO

Coach Nealy went with a completely different lineup in the second game of the doubleheader with Caitlyn Mayo (Bigelow, AR) in the circle. She would give up a run in the top of the first before the Bucks regained the lead in the bottom half. A lead off double by Tabry Jordan (Little Rock, AR) led to Western Mussett (Garvin, OK) trading places with her to tie the game. Next at-bat, Sydney Smith (Siloam Springs, AR) did the same to pick up a RBI that made it 2-1 in favor of the Bucks.

After a scoreless second inning, Arkansas State capitalized on Bucks errors with a 7-run third inning. An inning later, the Bucks scratched across a run. Leah Wilkins (Van Buren, AR) singled to centerfield before pinch hitter Shae Bassham (Salem, AR) singled on a line drive to left field to plate a run, but the guest put up 2 more runs in the top of the fifth off relief pitcher Brooke Detommaso (Las Vegas, NV).

In the bottom of the fifth, a lead off single and a fielder's choice brought Sydney Smith to the plate. She would pick up the RBI single. After a hit by pitch and the second out of the inning, Leah Wilkins again singled that scored a run. Next at-bat, Natalee Dinnerville (Carthage, TX) hit a RBI single to cut the lead to 10-6 after five innings.

Arkansas State scored their last run in the top of the sixth inning. Next inning, the Bucks scratched across a run in the bottom of the seventh, but it wouldn't be enough. The run came on a Natalee Dinnerville RBI double to right center field. The Bucks fell 11-7 in the contest.

Starting pitcher Caitlyn Mayo (5-3) took the loss in her 4.0 innings of work. She gave up 8 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits, while striking out 3 and walking 2 on the day. Brooke Detommaso threw the last 3 innings, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits. Brooke struck out a pair and walked a lone hitter in the contest.

The Bucks are now headed to South Arkansas College on Monday in El Dorado, AR. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm.

#GOBUCKS