(February 13, 2024) Mena, Arkansas - Coming off a pair of wins last week, the ladies returned to Cummings-Cecil Field for a doubleheader this afternoon with Arkansas State University's Club Team. The Bucks were supposed to play over the weekend against MSU-West Plains, but the weather forced the cancellation. The is the first of 3 home dates this week for the Bucks. 

Game One

The first game of the day saw the ladies plate runs in every inning on their way to a 9-0 win in 5-innings. The Bucks produced their 9 runs on 7 hits and walked 6 times in the contest. Lilli Williams (Granbury, TX) started the day with a RBI double in the bottom of the first inning. In the second and third innings, the ladies plated 3 runs per inning. Williams hit a 2-run bomb in the second after JJ Bass (Joaquin, TX) picked up the RBI on a ground out, and the Bucks produced a run in three straight at-bats in the third. Riley Lowery (Hughes Springs, TX) hit a sac fly followed by RBI singles by Kate Daigle (Rayne, LA) and Madison Heller (Hughes Springs, TX). The game was sealed on a 2-run home run by Olivia Nickson (Bentonville, AR) in the bottom of the fourth to make it 9-0.

McKenna Bittle (Greers Ferry, AR) went the distance for the Bucks, pitching 5.0 innings. Bittle (2-0) struck out 4 and walked 4 her second win of the season. She gave up only 2 hits in the contest and worked her way out of jams. 

Game Two

 The second game had a different vibe than the first. The ladies found themselves in a 1-0 whole after an inning of play. Emma Reynolds (Cayuga, TX) hit a lead off triple in the bottom of the second inning. With 2 outs, Bri Crowley (Springdale, TX) hit a RBI single to centerfield to take the game after a pair of innings. 

In the bottom of the third, the ladies took the lead with a crooked number. After a lead off walk and single, Olivia Nickson drove in a run on a base hit to left field. After a walk, back-to-back sac flies by Layla Baker (Minden, LA) and Laney Linseisen (Longview, TX) gave the Bucks a 4-1 lead. After ASU Club scored a run in the top of the fourth, the ladies added to their lead with another 3-spot on the scoreboard. Another lead off walk, a single, and a stolen base put runners in scoring position. An error by ASU Club plated a run. Two hitters later, Olivia Tefft (Frisco, TX) pinch hit and came through with a 2-RBI double to make it 7-2 after four innings. 

After a scoreless fifth, ASU Club took advantage of some Bucks errors to score 3 runs in the top of the sixth, but the Bucks defense clamped down and sealed the 7-5 win.

Holly Raney (Mayflower, AR) got the start in the circle, lasting 3.1 innings. The freshmen gave up 2 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits and struck out 4 in the outing. Kamryn Uher (Prairie, Grove, AR) pitched the final 3.2 innings. Uher (1-0) picked up the win and gave up 3 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits and struck out a lone hitter in the outing. 

The ladies return to action tomorrow, February 14th, against Bossier Parish Community College. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm at Cummings-Cecil Field. 

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