(April 27, 2021) Mena, Arkansas – Coming off a split on Saturday against Western, the Bucks hosted Rose State College to conclude their season series with the Lady Raiders.

Game 1

Hannah Hunter (Malvern, AR) got the start for the Bucks. She would surrender a run in the top of the 1^st, while the Bucks stranded a couple runners to trail 1-0 after an inning. Rose State added another run in the 2^nd before the Bucks stranded a lead off walk to trail 2-0 after 2 innings.

The Lady Raiders added 2 more runs in the top of the 3rd, and the Bucks continued to strand base runners. With 2 outs in the 4^th inning, Hunter surrendered 2 more runs before being chased from the game. Brooke Detommaso (Las Vegas, NV) came into pitch and surrendered 2 runs to make it 8-0 in favor of Rose State.

The Bucks went in order in the bottom of the 4^th before Detommaso threw a scoreless 5^th inning. In the bottom half, the Bucks stranded a runner and fell 8-0 in 5 innings.

Game 2

Gracie Kimbrell (North Little Rock, AR) got the start and put up a zero on the scoreboard to start the game, but the Bucks didn't produce any runs. After another scoreless inning for Kimbrell, the Bucks broke the scoreless streak. Maggie Lilly (Mt. Pleasant, TX) led off with a walk before Kimbrell singled. With 2 runners on, Madelynn Lacaze (Union Grove, TX) doubled to centerfield to score Lilly and Kimbrell. Lacaze advanced to 3^rd on a ground out and would score on another to make it 3-0 after 2 innings.

Rose State capitalized on a Bucks error and used the momentum to put up 5 runs in the top of the 3^rd, including a 2-run homer. Trailing 5-3, the Bucks would load the bases with 2 outs in the bottom half. Sydney Smith (Siloam Springs, AR) hit a line drive double to left field to empty the bases and plated Ashlee Gurley (Logansport, LA), Lilly and Kimbrell. The Bucks led 6-5 after 3 innings.

Kimbrell put up another zero in the top of the 4^th, but the Bucks stranded a runner in the bottom half. In the top of the 5^th, the Lady Raiders tied the game at 6-6. After a leadoff single by Maggie Lilly, the Bucks would be retired in order to end the 5^th. Game was still tied at 6-6.

In the 6^th, Kimbrell put down the Lady Raiders in order, but the Bucks went down in order as well. In the top of the 7^th, Kimbrell loaded the bases with 2 outs, but a ground ball got the Bucks out of the inning unscathed. The Bucks would have an opportunity in the bottom half to win the game.

Leah Wilkins (Van Buren, AR) pinch hit and was hit by a pitch. Hannah Hunter came on to run for her. Ashlee Gurley hit a double to left centerfield to advance Hunter to 3^rd. A missed squeeze attempt resulted in an out at home. After a ground out, Gracie Kimbrell gave herself the win with a walk off 2-run homer to win the game, 8-6.

#GOBUCKS