(February 18, 2023) Paris, Texas - The ladies have been on a 3-date road stand this week with trips to Conway, AR and Miami, OK before finishing the week on Saturday at Paris Junior College. The ladies enter the doubleheader 2-2 on the week with a pair of wins over Central Baptist's JV. Yesterday's match up was with the Dragons, who made it to the NJCAA DI National Tournament last season and were nationally ranked in the NJCAA Preseason Polls. 

Game One

The Bucks offense jumped on the Dragons early and often in the opening game of the doubleheader. Game One saw 4 home runs fly over the short porch at Paris JC home field Saturday afternoon. The first one of the day came in the top of the first when Blaire Gentry (Lockesburg, AR) hit a no doubter to give the Bucks a 2-0 lead. After giving up a run and a scoreless second, Gentry once again delivered on a 2-RBI single to left field to give the Bucks an early 4-1 lead after three innings.

After a Dragons solo home run, the Bucks offense exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. JJ Bass (Joaquin, TX) slapped a double over the left fielder's head to plate a pair of runs. Then, Marli Huddleston (Bee Branch, AR) hit her first of 3 homers on the day. The 2-run shot gave the Bucks a 8-2 lead after four. 

After a scoreless fifth inning, the Bucks added 3 runs in the top of the sixth on a Huddleston 2-run bomb and a Kylee Ward (Lowell, AR) solo home run over the left field fence to secure an 11-2 lead, which was all starting pitcher Maddie Muller (Little Elm, TX) needed to close out the game in 6-innings. Muller (2-2) got her record back to even on the season in her fourth start. The freshmen gave up a pair of runs on 7 hits, while striking out 5 and only walking one.

Game Two

If a person likes offense, Game Two was one to see. Both teams combined for 37 runs on 38 hits, that included 5 home runs. In four of the seven innings, both teams combined for 5 or more runs. The Bucks scored in every inning, except for the top of the fifth. With an 11-5 lead after four innings, the Bucks surrendered the lead and gave up 7 runs in the bottom of the frame. The bats came back alive in the sixth with a pair of runs, but the Dragons answered with a pair of their own to regain the lead. The ladies would score 5 runs in the top of the seventh to gain a 4-run advantage, but the Dragons produced a 5-run inning of their own to walk it off on a passed ball. Bucks fell 19-18 in a shootout. 

Offensively for the Bucks, Marli Huddleston went 4 for 6 at the plate with a pair of RBIs and 3 runs, including her third homer of the day. Kayleigh Anderson (Forrest City, AR) and Abi West (Ida, AR) both produced 3 RBIs and a home run a piece in the contest. 

In the circle, Gentry got the start, while Madie Rohre (Whitewright, TX) and Caitlyn Mayo (Bigelow, AR) came on in relief. Mayo (1-1) took the loss, facing only a pair of hitters in the game. 

The Bucks are back at home on Tuesday, February 21st. The ladies will take on Arkansas State's Club Team in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm at Cummings-Cecil Field.

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