Harrison, AR (February 2, 2021) – UA Rich Mountain Softball took to the diamond this afternoon at the Equity Bank Sports Complex vs. North Arkansas College for their first game in school history. A late game surge sealed the deal as the Bucks would win their first game in program history, 12-2. The win also marked Coach Tracy Nealy's first collegiate win.

To start the game, the Bucks would go down quietly in the top of the 1^st, and Gracie Kimbrell (North Little Rock, AR) would go to work in the circle. After two quick strikeouts, she would give up a single and a double before getting a strikeout to end the inning. In the second inning, Emily Everitt (Royse City, TX) would get the first hit and stolen base in school history, but she would be stranded. Kimbrell picked up another strikeout to put the Pioneers down in order.

The bats would come alive in the top of the 3^rd inning with 2 outs. Maggie Lilly (Mt. Pleasant, TX) would double before Gracie Kimbrell would pickup the first RBI of the season scoring Lilly. The Bucks were not done. Kristen McMillan (Winnsboro, TX) would single to advance Kimbrell. McMillan stole 2^nd base before Ashlee Gurley (Logansport, LA) would hit a 2 RBI single to score both Kimbrell and McMillan. Madison Humphry (Murfreesboro, AR) reached on a Pioneer error that scored Gurley. Emily Everitt picked up where she left off and hit a RBI double to score Humphry. Everitt was thrown out trying to advance to 3^rd base on a throw from home. The Pioneers went in order in the bottom half. Bucks would lead 5-0 after 3 innings.

The Bucks were quiet in both the top of the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th innings. The Pioneers got a run back on a homerun in the 4^th. Kimbrell would pick up her 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th strikeouts on the day in the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th innings, respectively. Bucks still lead 5-1 after 6.

In the top of the 7th, the Bucks came alive. Maddi Miles (Jonesboro, AR) started off with a walk. Avery Cotten (Longview, TX) came on to run and stole 2^nd. Gracie Kimbrell then helped her cause with a RBI single scoring Cotten. Megan Czinder (League City, TX) came in to run for Kimbrell. Czinder stole second and advanced on a wild pitch that walked Kristen McMillan. Ashlee Gurley reached on a Pioneer error that scored both Czinder and McMillan. Madison Humphry reached on a error and Katie Fox (North Little Rock, AR) would come on to run. Ashton Daniel (Rockwall, TX) would hit a RBI single scoring Gurley from 3^rd. Daniel then stole 2^nd on the next pitch before Maddi Miles hit a 2 RBI double to cap the 7-run 7^th inning for the Bucks. The Pioneers would hit another homerun in the bottom of the 7^th, but that would be it. The Bucks would win 12-2.

Picking up the complete game win for the Bucks was Gracie Kimbrell. She finished with 9 strikeouts, 1 walk, and gave up 2 earned run. The Bucks and Pioneers play again in less than 30 minutes.

#GOBUCKS