(February 17, 2025) Wilburton, Oklahoma - After a week off, the ladies were ready to get back on the diamond after a week of not practicing outside many times. The Bucks (5-2) travelled 1.5 hours west to take on Eastern Oklahoma State College (4-4). The Bucks and Lady Mountaineers did not play last season as they have in the past.

Game One

It was the Holly Raney (Mayflower, AR) show to start the day. The sophomore got the ball in the circle and went to work after the Bucks gave her a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a Jaliyah Simmons (Muskogee, OK) solo home run. It was Simmons third homer of the season. 

The lead was all Raney (2-1) needed as she would go the distance in the complete game win. She gave up only 1 hit and allowed no free bases, while striking out 5 on the day. 

The Bucks gave her an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning. With runners on the corners, Kate Daigle (Rayne, LA) reached on an error that scored Simmons to make the final score of 2-0. 

Game Two

After a close game in the opener, the second game was much of the same. Both teams relied on pitching and defense for much of the game. The ladies struck first in the top of the third inning with a run on a RBI single by Emma Reynolds (Cayuga, TX). She would strike again in the top of the fifth inning on a RBI double to centerfield to give the Bucks a 2-0 lead. Reynolds also got it done defensively with an assist by throwing a runner out at the plate in the bottom of the third to keep the Lady Mountaineers scoreless.

Starting pitcher Addisyn Wright (Buffalo Valley, OK) got the start and held Eastern scoreless in her 5.0 innings of work. She walked a batter in the sixth inning before Hayden White (Red Oak, OK) came on in relief. White would give up a single but stranded both runners to send the game to the seventh inning.  

The Bucks went down in order in the top half, and White came back out in the circle. Eastern made things interesting by loading the bases, but a fielder's choice ended the game. Bucks won 2-0 and took both games over Eastern Oklahoma State.

Addisyn Wright (2-1) got the win with 6 strikeouts, giving up 0 runs. Hayden White (2) pitched the final 2.0 innings, getting her second save of the season.

The Bucks are scheduled to play again on Saturday at home against John Melvin University. First pitch will be at 12 pm at Cummings-Cecil Field.

#DefendTheMountain