(February 8, 2025) Mena, Arkansas - Coming off a 3-2 weekend at the Mardi Gras last weekend, the Bucks had the week to rest and prepare for Saturday's doubleheader against Missouri State University-West Plains at Cummings-Cecil Field. The Bucks have never played the Grizzlies in an actual contest besides Fall competition. 

It was all Bucks on the day in front of a good crowd at McMillan Park. The Bucks took care of MSU-West Plains 19-1 and 6-1 in the doubleheader.

The ladies had a great day at the plate, hitting .500 on the day with 28 hits, including 8 extra base hits. Reigning Region 2 and NJCAA DII Player of the Week Jaliyah Simmons (Muskogee, OK) picked up where she left off, hitting 2 no doubt home runs and a double with 4 RBIs. The freshmen also laid down a pair of bunts on the day. Sophomore Emma Reynolds (Cayuga, TX) also recorded 5 hits on the day, including a double and added to her school triples record with another one this afternoon at Cummings-Cecil Field. A trio of freshmen recorded 3 RBIs on the day: Brenli Baker (Enid, OK), Ashlen Van Meter (Brock, TX), and Maggie Pate (Hughes Springs, TX). Simmons, Reynolds, and Kate Daigle (Rayne, LA) led the team with 4 runs a piece.

In the circle, the Bucks only used a pair of pitchers, both going the distance in each game. Freshmen Hayden White (Red Oak, OK) pitched 5.0 innings to start the day, giving up a run on 3 hits. White (2-0) got her second win of the season and struck out 3 in the outing. Sophomore Holly Raney (Mayflower, AR) pitched all 7.0 innings to conclude the day, giving up 1 unearned run. Raney (1-1) evened her season recorded in the circle and did not give up a walk or hit-by-pitch in the outing. 

Defensively, the Bucks only made 1 error on the afternoon with a pair of double plays. 

The ladies will be back in action in a week at Bossier Parish Community College in Bossier, Louisiana. BPCC received votes in the NJCAA DI Preseason Rankings. First pitch is scheduled for 2 pm in the doubleheader.

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