(February 23, 2025) Mena, Arkansas - After a doubleheader sweep of region DI foe Eastern Oklahoma State College on Monday, the Bucks got grounded indoors with this past week's weather in preparation for NAIA school John Melvin University this afternoon at Cummings-Cecil Field. 

Game One

The Bucks recorded 3 of their 5 hits in the bottom of the first inning and took a 2-0 lead. The ladies led off with back-to-back triples from Linley Collins (Whitesboro, OK) and Jaliyah Simmons (Muskogee, OK). Simmons would then score on a Kate Daigle (Rayne, LA) RBI single to make it 2-0.

Lindsey Smyth (Mansfield, TX) got the start in the circle and got off to a good start. She ran into some trouble in the top of the fourth inning. An error loaded the bases and another error allowed a pair of runs to tie the contest at 2-2. 

With the Bucks struggling at the plate, a run come in the bottom of the fifth inning with the bases loaded. Emma Reynolds (Cayuga, TX) hit a sacrifice fly to left centerfield to score pinch runner Sophie Shipp (Caddo Mills, TX). 

The run was all Smyth needed in the circle as she worked a scoreless sixth and seventh inning in the 3-2 win. Lindsey Smyth (2-0) got her second win of the season in the circle. She gave up 2 unearned runs on a 4 hits. She struck out 3 and walked 3 in 7.0 innings of work. 

Game Two

The Bucks found themselves in a 4-0 hole midway through the third inning. Starting pitcher Maggie Pate (Hughes Springs, TX) gave up all four runs (1 earned) in her 2.2 innings of work. Addisyn Wright (Buffalo Valley, OK) came on in relief in the third inning.

The ladies scored a run in the bottom of the third inning on a Kate Daigle RBI single with 2 outs. Wright settled in and gave the Bucks a chance, waiting for the offense to come alive.

The offense found some life in the bottom of the sixth inning with 2 outs. With a runner on, Brenli Baker (Enid, OK) hit a RBI double to left field. Then, Mallory Cheek (Lumberton, TX) hit a RBI double off the centerfield wall to make it 4-3 after six innings. 

Pitching and defense held in the top of the seventh, and the Bucks had a chance to to extend or win the game. However, the Bucks were unable to score a run and fell 4-3 to John Melvin.

Pate (0-1) gave up the 4 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits, while striking out a lone hitter in the contest. Wright pitched 4.1 innings, giving up 0 runs on 3 hits and struck out 5. 

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