(March 16, 2024) Poteau, Oklahoma - A week in between games isn't exactly what Coach Nealy probably wanted for his squad, but the ladies hit the road again Saturday afternoon for a region doubleheader with Carl Albert State College. The ladies dropped this past week in the DII Softball Rankings, but the Bucks remained strong at #16 in the poll. The Bucks entered the day 15-8 overall and 4-0 in region play, while Carl Albert entered the day 4-18 overall and 3-5 in the region.

Game One

As the saying goes, "It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win," sums up the game for the Bucks. The ladies found themselves in a 2-run hole after a pair of innings, and the Bucks found themselves with only 2 hits through 6 innings. The seventh inning was the inning of the Bucks. The ladies only collected 3 hits in the inning, but the Vikings made 5 errors that helped in 7 runs scoring in the top half. 

A walk, fielder's choice, and hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for Kate Daigle (Rayne, LA). She would take the 3-2 pitch deep into left centerfield for a sacrifice fly to break the 2-2 tie. After reaching on an error and 2 outs, Emma Reynolds (Cayuga, TX) collected the first hit of the inning and picked up 2 RBIs on the single. The next run came on an error, then the ladies walked and singled to reload the bases. JJ Bass (Joaquin, TX) then hit a 2-RBI double for the final runs of the inning.

Starting pitcher McKenna Bittle (Greer's Ferry, AR) finished the game in the seventh inning. Bittle (7-3) struck out 5, while only giving up a pair of runs on 5 hits in the win.

Game Two

Just as the ladies struggled offensively in the first game of the day, it was much of the same in the second game. The ladies managed 9 hits in the contest, but struggled to get the timely hit. The ladies held a early 1-0 lead in top of the third inning. JJ Bass stole home on a first and third situation. Carl Albert took the lead in the bottom half on a 3-run home run and added a run in the bottom of the fourth, 4-1.

The Bucks kept trying to fight back and hit the timely ball. Emma Reynolds hit a solo home run over the right field fence in the top of the sixth. Fighting for the game, the ladies plated a run in the top of the seventh on a Reynolds RBI single, but she would be stranded to end the game, representing the tying run.

Kamryn Uher (Prairie Grove, AR) started the game and threw the first 3.0 innings, giving up all 4 runs to the Vikings. Uher (4-2) gave up 6 hits and walked a lone hitter. Olivia Nickson (Bentonville, AR) pitched the final 3.0 innings, striking out 4.

The loss brings the ladies overall record to 16-9 on the season and are 5-1 in region play. The Bucks play again at home on Sunday, March 24th, against National Park College.

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