(April 4, 2024) Mena, Arkansas - Coming off a split on Monday with #8 Paris Junior College, the Bucks had some momentum heading into a doubleheader this afternoon at Cummings-Cecil Field. The ladies hosted North Arkansas College in the region contests. The Bucks entered the day 6-4 in the region, while the Pioneers were 3-9.
Game One
The ladies found themselves down 3-0 after an inning and a half of play, but the bats came alive with a 6-run bottom of the second inning. After reaching on a 1-out error and a double, Madie Rohre (Whitewright, TX) picked up the first RBI on the day by reaching on an error. Next at-bat, Riley Lowery (Hughes Springs, TX) plated a run on a fielder's choice. After a hit-by-pitch, Madison Heller (Hughes Springs, TX) came to the plate and hit a RBI single to left field to tie the game. After a Kate Daigle (Rayne, LA) 2-RBI single to centerfield, Emma Reynolds (Cayuga, TX) broke the season triples record with a RBI triple to right field to give the Bucks the 6-3 lead after a pair of innings.
The Bucks then added on in the bottom of the third and fourth innings with a pair of runs each frame. In the third with the bases loaded, Riley Lowery hit a sac fly that plated a run and another run scored on a throwing error to extend the lead. In the fourth, Lilli Williams (Granbury, TX) came to the plate with 1 out and a pair of runners on base. She would hit a RBI double to left field. Next at-bat, Olivia Nickson (Bentonville, AR) hit a sac fly to make it 10-3.
After a scoreless fifth inning, the ladies were looking to end the game in the bottom of the sixth and would on a 2-out RBI double by Lilli Williams to get the 11-3 win.
In the circle, McKenna Bittle (Greer's Ferry, AR) got back to her winning ways, pitching all 6.0 innings. Bittle (10-5) gave up 3 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits while striking out 5.
Game Two
The second game of the doubleheader appeared to be a pitcher's dual through three innings of play. The game was tied at 1-1. The Bucks run came on another RBI double by Lilli Williams. The ladies broke it open in the bottom of the fourth with a 5-run inning.
After a lead off walk and a pair of Kaleigh Carney (Kilgore, TX) stolen bases, Madie Rohre picked up a RBI on the single to centerfield. After reaching on an error, Laney Linseisen (Longview, TX) grounded out to the right side to plate a run. Next at-bat, JJ Bass (Joaquin, TX) hit a RBI double. Then, Madison Heller traded places with her on a RBI double to left field. After an out, Emma Reynolds hit a infield single to plate the last run of the inning to give the Bucks a 6-1 lead after four.
After a scoreless fifth inning, both teams plated a run a piece in the sixth. The Bucks came on a Madison Heller sac fly to regain the 5-run lead. North Arkansas would not go down without a fight and plated 4 runs in the top of the seventh inning, but the ladies were able to close out the game to get the 7-6 region win.
Olivia Nickson (2-3) pitched 6.1 innings on the day, giving up 5 runs (4 earned) on 11 hits, while striking out 8. Kamryn Uher (Prairie Grove, AR) came in to pitch the final 0.2 innings and got the save in the game.
The Bucks are now 20-13 overall and 8-4 in region play.
The ladies will now travel to ASU Mountain Home on Saturday for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 2 pm at Keller Park.
#DefendTheMountain