(March 4, 2023) Branson, Missouri – After a split at Bossier Parrish on Tuesday and a week full of rain, the Bucks headed north for the Branson Bash that's hosted at the Ballparks of America. The Bucks enter the weekend at 7-7 and are slated to play a doubleheader on both Saturday and Sunday.
Game One - Fort Scott Community College
The Bucks won the pregame coin toss and were the home team in the contest. Blaire Gentry (Lockesburg, AR) got the ball in the circle for the initial game of the weekend. It wasn't the best outing for the sophomore, but she would go the distance in the 7-inning game, giving up only 3 hits in the contest.
The Bucks scored all of their runs in the bottom of the first inning. After back-to-back singles and an out, Gentry helped her own cause with a RBI single. Two hitters later, Abi West (Ida, AR) hit a sac fly to left field to make it 2-0. Then, Marli Huddleston (Bee Branch, AR) hit a 2-RBI single to left field to give the Bucks the 4-0 lead, which was held for the next six innings.
Blaire Gentry (2-3) picked up her second win of the season. She would strikeout 5 hitters in the contest. Her only blemish on the day was 6 walks, but she was able to hold the Lady Greyhounds scoreless on the day, including stranding the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth.
Game Two – Neosho County Community College
The Bucks went with a different lineup in Game Two against the Lady Panthers. Caitlyn Mayo got the start in the circle for the ladies. She cruised through two innings, before Neosho broke open the scoring in the top of the third inning with a pair of runs. The Lady Panthers added another run in the top of the fourth inning to make it 3-0 before the Bucks answered in the bottom of the inning.
After a lead off double, an out, and a walk, Chloe Durnal (Maumelle, AR) hit a RBI single to left field. Next at-bat, relief pitcher McKenna Bittle (Greer's Ferry, AR) grounded out to the right side to drive in another run to make it 3-2. However, this would be the Bucks only run production in the game.
Bittle came on in relief in the top of the fourth inning and would finish the game in the circle. The Lady Panthers would score 4 runs in the final remaining innings to pick up the 7-2 win.
Mayo (2-2) took the loss in her 3.1 innings of work, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits. The sophomore struck out 3 and walked 4. Bittle pitched the final 3.2 innings, giving up 4 runs on 6 hits. The freshmen struck out 4 and walked 3 in the outing.
The Bucks play again tomorrow at 9:30 am against NOC-Tonkawa and at 1:30 pm against State Fair CC. All games are being played at the Ballparks of America in Branson, MO.
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