(April 21, 2023) Mena, Arkansas - The ladies are making their final push toward the Region II Tournament in the first week of May in Hot Springs, but first, the ladies still have four region doubleheaders left, including this afternoon's matchup with SAU Tech. Coming into the day, the Bucks were 11-5 in region play and 22-18 overall. Earlier this season in Camden, the Bucks split with the Rockets.
Game One
Early on, the ladies struggled at the plate. SAU Tech struck first in the top of the third inning with a run, but the Bucks responded with a 6-run bottom of the inning. After a lead off single, Kylee Ward (Rogers, AR) delivered a 1-out RBI double to left field to open the scoring. After Ward was thrown out at the plate, Blaire Gentry (Lockesburg, AR) hit a RBI triple to right field. Then, the Bucks plated a pair of runs on errors before Shiley Cartinez (Many, LA) hit a RBI single to left field. After advancing to second and stealing third, she would score on a Tabry Jordan (Little Rock, AR) RBI single to round out the inning. The Bucks scored all of their runs in the contest in the third.
With the 6-1 lead, Maddie Muller (Little Elm, TX) continued her work in the circle and gave up one more run in the top of the seventh inning to pick up the 6-2 win. Muller (10-7) pitched a complete game and gave up 2 runs on 4 hits. The freshmen struck out 4 and walked a lone hitter in the outing.
Game Two
The Bucks were going for the series win, but the Rockets came out hot and hit three home runs in the first two inning. The Bucks would hit one of their own in the bottom of the first by Shiley Cartinez, but trailed 5-2 after a pair of innings. After a scoreless third, the Rockets plated a single run in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings ot hold a 8-2 lead. The Bucks would respond with a 3-run bottom of the sixth.
Western Mussett (Garvin, OK) started the inning with a 1-out solo home run over the right centerfield fence. After a walk, JJ Bass (Joaquin, TX) would hit a RBI triple before scoring on a Kayleigh Anderson (Forrest City, AR) sacrifice fly that made the game 8-5. The Bucks held the Rockets scoreless in the top of the seventh and had a great opportunity to walk it off in the bottom of the inning.
A hit-by-pitch, walk, and an error loaded the bases for the Bucks. Abi West (Ida, AR) would smoke a line drive off the pitcher that plated a pair runs. Next at-bat, both runners advanced to second and third on a passed ball, but the Bucks would strikeout, ground out to third base, and pop out to end the game, falling 8-7.
The ladies are now 23-19 overall and 12-6 in region play heading into tomorrow's Sophomore Day against National Park College. First pitch is scheduled for 2 pm.
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