(March 29, 2025) Mena, Arkansas - Spring Break has came to an end, and it's nearly April which means the Rich Mountain Bucks are pushing toward the final leg of their regular season and majority of their region doubleheaders. This afternoon, the ladies took on ASU-Newport for a region doubleheader at Cummings-Cecil Field. The Bucks entered the day as the #23 ranked team in NJCAA DII Softball and held an overall record of 22-7 and 6-0 in region play.

It wasn't the cleanest day for the Bucks, but the ladies found a way to take both games from the Aviators: 7-2 and 9-6. The ladies are now 24-7 overall and 8-0 in region play.

Offensively, the ladies scored their 16 runs on 25 hits. There were only 3 extra base hits on the day, including triples by Emma Reynolds (Cayuga, TX) and Linley Collins (Whitesboro, OK). Jaliyah Simmons (Muskogee, OK) led the way with 5 hits on the day, that included a double and a pair of RBIs. Reynolds followed with 4 hits and led the team with 3 RBIs in the doubleheader. Kyson Vap (Newkirk, OK) and Collins both drove in a pair of run in the wins.

In the circle, Addisyn Wright (Buffalo Valley, OK) went the distance in the first game. Wright (6-3) gave up 2 runs on 8 hits in 7.0 innings, while striking out 9. The next game would see the Bucks put three ladies in the circle to get the win. Holly Raney (Mayflower, AR) pitched 3.1 innings of relief, giving up 1 run on 3 hits. Raney (8-3) struck out and walked a lone hitter in the outing. Hayden White (Red Oak, OK) came on and pitched the final 2.0 innings to get her third save of the season. 

The Bucks will now turn their attention to region doubleheaders this week against SAU Tech and Carl Albert State College on Thursday and Saturday. Both matchups are supposed to be at home.

#DefendTheMountain