The University of Arkansas Rich Mountain scored 6 runs in the fourth inning to break open a close game and eventually defeat Southeast Arkansas College 12-3 in five innings to open what would be a softball doubleheader sweep for the Bucks in Mena on Tuesday.
Rich Mountain won the second game 9-6.
In the first game, Rich Mountain (2-0) outhit SEARK 13-4 and took advantage of 5 errors by the Sharks (2-4), who have lost 4 straight. The Sharks scored a run in the first but surrendered 2 to the Bucks in the second and 4 in the third.
Four Bucks finished with 2 or more hits. Laney Linseisen and Layla Baker (2 doubles) each batted 3 for 3 and scored 3 runs. Baker drove in 2 runs.
Four Sharks each had a hit. Amber Racca and Reagan Sword each doubled.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Chiara Olison took over after Ashlyn Powell got into a pitching jam with 2 outs in the first inning. The pair gave up a total of 9 earned runs and struck out 4.
McKenna Bittle struck out 8 and scattered 4 hits over the 5 innings to pick up the win.
SEARK did not go away easily in the second game, tying the score at 2-all in the third and taking a 6-5 lead in the fourth. Much of that had to do with the batting of Kyla Ashford (2 for 4, 2 RBI) and Racca (2 for 4).
Rich Mountain made it a seesaw game after scoring 3 each in the third and fourth innings. Nickson, who batted 2 for 4, drove in 4 runs, including 3 on a third-inning home run.
Powell allowed 7 earned runs on 7 hits in 3 innings. Chelsea Zizzo came on for the final 3 innings and gave up an earned run on 3 hits. Neither pitcher recorded a strikeout.
Rich Mountain used three pitchers in the second game.
SEARK will co-host a tournament in Dothan, Ala., this weekend with Coach Belinda Hendrix’s former program from Chipola College of Florida. The Sharks will play six games Friday-Sunday, starting with Lurleen B. Wallace Community College at 10 a.m. Friday and Central Alabama CC at 3 p.m.
Enterprise State, Northwest Shoals, Hillsborough and Southern Union State are also scheduled to face the Sharks over the weekend.
SEARK’s baseball team is scheduled for a home doubleheader against Southern Arkansas University Tech starting at 1 p.m. today.