(April 15, 2025) Mena, Arkansas - Coming off a 5-3 week last week, the Bucks remained in the NJCAA DII Softball rankings at #22. The ladies have 3 weeks left in their season before the Region 2 Tournament hosted in Ardmore, Oklahoma. The Bucks began their week this afternoon at Cummings-Cecil Field against Carl Albert State College.

The ladies took care of the Lady Vikings in the first game, 7-0, before surviving a late rally by Carl Albert, 11-9. The Bucks are now 31-10 overall and 15-3 in region play. The season record for wins in a season is 35 games that was set last season.

At the plate, Brenli Baker (Enid, OK) led the Bucks with 5 hits and 5 RBIs in the doubleheader. The ladies also hit 6 extra base hits, including a solo home run by Kinley Rankin (Horatio, AR). Emma Reynolds (Cayuga, TX) hit had 3 of the extra base hits with a pair of doubles and a triple with 3 RBIs. The triple tied her own season records for triples at 10. She has 20 in her career at UARM. 

Jaliyah Simmons (Muskogee, OK) scored a pair of runs on the day. The runs ties her for the season record with Madelynn Lacaze (2021-2022) at 55 runs scored in a season. 

Hayden White (Red Oak, OK) pitched a complete game to start the day. White (6-1) pitched 7.0 innings, giving up 0 runs on 2 hits and 4 strikeouts. Maggie Pate (Hughes Springs, TX) got the start and win in the second game. Pate (4-1) lasted 3.1 innings, giving up 6 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits. She would strike out 3 on the day. After the Bucks gave up 3 in the top of the seventh, Addisyn Wright (Buffalo Valley, OK) came on to shut the door and recorded her second save of the season.The pitching staff on the day recorded 11 strikeouts with only 1 walk and 1 hit-by-pitch.

Now, the ladies will turn their attention to National Park College on Thursday in Hot Springs. First pitch is scheduled for 12 & 2 pm. 

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