(February 25, 2025) Conway, Arkansas - After a split at home on Sunday with John Melvin University, the ladies hit the road for the first of three trips this week to take on Central Baptist College's JV squad at City of Colleges Park. This is the Bucks annual trip to Conway after CBC comes to Cummings-Cecil Field in the Fall.
The first game didn't go in the Bucks favor as the ladies lost 4-1. The Bucks outhit the Lady Mustangs with 7 hits to 3, but the Bucks fell in the contest. Holly Raney (Mayflower, AR) gave up all 4 runs (2 earned) and struck out 7 in 4.1 innings of work.
Wanting to get even on the day, the ladies found themselves in an early 1-0 hole, but the Bucks scratched for a run in the third inning before exploding with a 5-run top of the fourth inning. In the third, Jaliyah Simmons (Muskogee, OK) hit a RBI double with a pair of runners on to start the scoring. Then, in the fifth, Ashlen VanMeter (Brock, TX) hit a RBI single to open the scoring. After an error plated another Bucks run, Kyson Vap (Newkirk, OK) hit into a fielder's choice to score a run. With 2 outs in the inning, Jaliyah Simmons hit her fourth homer of the season, a 2-run shot over the left field fence to give the ladies a 6-1 lead.
CBC would not go away quietly, adding a pair of runs in the bottom half of the fourth and another in the bottom of the fifth. The Bucks did match their 2 runs in the fourth with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning. With 2 outs and a pair of runners on base, Kinley Rankin (Horatio, AR) hit a RBI double to centerfield. Then, two hitters later, Linley Collins (Whitesboro, OK) hit a RBI single to finish the scoring on the afternoon for UARM. The ladies would hold on to a 8-4 lead to get the split on the day.
Maggie Pate (Hughes Springs, TX) got the start and lasted 4.0 innings in the circle. She would give up 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits and struck out 3 in the outing. Pate (1-1) picked up her first college win. Kamryn Uher (Prairie Grove, AR) pitched the final 3.0 innings, giving up a run on 2 hits.
The Bucks will now travel to Paris Junior College on Thursday to take on the ranked Lady Dragons. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm in Paris, TX.
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