(February 21, 2023) Mena, Arkansas - Coming off a split at Paris Junior College from the weekend, the Bucks finally were back at home after two weeks of road games. The Bucks hosted Arkansas State Univeristy's Club team this afternoon at Cummings-Cecil Field. Arkansas State does not have NCAA softball in Jonesboro. Last season, the Bucks and ASU Club split a doubleheader at McMillan Park.

Game One

After combining for 32 hits on Saturday at Paris, the Bucks looked to get a fast start and did in the bottom of the first inning. Starting pitcher Maddie Muller (Little Elm, TX) helped her own cause with a 2-out RBI double. Then, Blaire Gentry (Lockesburg, AR) would go deep into the visitor's bullpen to give the Bucks a 3-0 lead. After the initial inning, the game would seem to be a pitcher's dual. Both teams combined for 9 hits in the contest. ASU scored a run in the top of the fourth inning and added 2 more in the top of the sixth to tie the game at 3-3. After holding ASU to a scoreless top of the seventh inning, the Bucks looked to walk it off in the bottom half and did on the first batter in the inning. Blaire Gentry went deep on the fifth pitch of the at-bat and hit the top of the left field fence and bounced over to give the Bucks the 4-3 win. 

Maddie Muller lasted 5.2 innings in the circle, giving up 3 runs on 3 hits. The story line on the day would be giving up 7 walks, but she did record 7 strikeouts in the no decision. Elise Trautman (Conway, AR) came on in relief to finish the last 1.1 innings. Trautman (1-0) picked up the win, facing only five hitters. The freshmen gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout in the outing. 

Game Two

Looking to get their season back to even in the second game, the Bucks held an early 3-0 lead after two innings. In the bottom of the second inning, Kayleigh Anderson (Forrest City, AR) came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. The sophomore outfielder hit a 2-RBI single down the left field line. Next at-bat, JJ Bass (Joaquin, TX) squeeze a ball between the short stop and third bases to pick up a RBI to give the Bucks the 3-0 lead. Two innings later, the Bucks added another run off the bat of Anderson. She would double to left field to score Tabry Jordan (Little Rock, AR) from first base. 

With the Bucks clinging to a 4-0 lead, starting pitcher Blaire Gentry found herself in a jam. Her day would be done with the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the sixth inning. Sophomore Caitlyn Mayo (Bigelow, AR) came on in relief with the tying run at the plate. She would record back-to-back sac flies that allowed a couple of runs, but she would limit the damage to only 2 runs. She would return in the seventh inning and closed out the game, recording her first save of the season. Gentry (1-2) got the win with 5.0 innings of work, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits. The sophomore recorded 5 strikeouts and allowed 3 walks in the contest.

The ladies are back in action on Saturday at Cummings-Cecil Field against Eastern Oklahoma State College. The Bucks and Mountaineers are former Region II foes. The Bucks are playing their first season in Division II, after playing in Division I the past two season. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm. 

#DefendTheMountain