(March 25, 2023) Camden, Arkansas - Coming off run-ruling South Arkansas in El Dorado on Thursday, the ladies headed back to the southern part of the state for a doubleheader with SAU Tech. The Bucks were riding a 7-game winning streak coming into the doubleheader and were 4-0 in region play, while SAU Tech is 1-3.
Game One
It feels all so familiar to say that Maddie Muller (Little Elm, TX), once again, found herself in a pitcher's dual. The right hander gave up 1 unearned run on the day in the bottom of the fifth inning, pitching all 7.0 innings for the Bucks. Muller (6-4) would pick up her sixth win of the season. The freshmen gave up only 4 hits, while striking out 11 hitters on the day.
The Bucks offense came on late and at the right time with 2 outs in the top of the seventh inning. After a Kylee Ward (Rogers, AR) pinch hit, lead off single, the ladies had 2 runners on after a JJ Bass (Joaquin, TX) single to bring Blaire Gentry to the plate. The sophomore belted a hard ground ball to left field to plate both runners to the give the Bucks a 2-1 lead that was eventually enough for the region win. Before the at-bat, Gentry was 0 for 3 on the day.
The Bucks were held to 6 hits, but the story of the day was errors. The Bucks made 5 errors in the contest.
Game Two
The Bucks came firing out of the gate plating a run in the initial frame on the second game. JJ Bass scored on a passed ball to give the Bucks an early 1-0 lead, but once again, defensive errors cost the Bucks in the bottom of the third inning. All 3 runs the Rockets scored was on errors off starting pitcher McKenna Bittle (Greer's Ferry, AR). The Rockets held a 3-1 lead after three and added a run in the bottom of the fifth inning to make it 4-1.
The ladies fought back in the top of the sixth inning with a pair of runs on one swing of the bat from Caitlyn Mayo (Bigelow, AR). The designated player blasted a 2-run home run over the centerfield fence to cut the lead to 4-3, but the Bucks couldn't complete the comeback and fell 4-3 for their first region loss of the season.
Bittle (1-1) took the loss in the game, lasting 4.0 innings. The freshmen struck out 2 in the outing. Elise Trautman (Conway, AR) pitched the final 2.0, giving up a run on a 1 hit and striking out 1 on the day.
The ladies are now 16-10 overall on the season and 5-1 in region play. The loss snapped the Bucks 8-game winning streak.
The Bucks will now head to Hot Springs on Tuesday afternoon for a region doubleheader with the National Park Nighthawks. First pitched is scheduled for 12 pm at Majestic Park.
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