(February 5, 2026) Wilburton, Oklahoma - After a 45-15 season in 2025 that ended as the Southwest District Runner-Ups, the UA Rich Mountain Bucks finally hit the field this afternoon at Eastern Oklahoma State College. The ladies were orginally supposed to begin their season at the Mardi Gras Tournament in Youngsville, LA, but last week's winter storm grounded the Bucks at home, practicing in the Bob Carver Sports Performance Center. The ladies were ranked #25 in the NJCAA DII Softball Pre-Season Poll earlier in January.

Game One

The first game of the season seen the Bucks take an early lead and hit a pair of home runs; however, the ladies fell 8-5 to region DI foe, Eastern Oklahoma State. The ladies couldn't get a timely hit, stranding 11 runners in the game.

After a half inning of play, the Bucks led 2-0 on a pair of RBI singles by Kensley Allen (Muskogee, OK) and Lynden Cole (Gadsden, TN). Eastern would score 3 runs in the bottom half of the first and added 3 more in the second to take a 6-2 lead through three innings. In the top of the fourth, sophomore Ashlen VanMeter (Brock, TX) hit a RBI single to make it 6-3, but a 2-run Lady Mountaineer home run in the bottom half made it 8-3. In the top of the fifth inning, Emily Stout (Vilonia, AR) hit her first home run of 2026, and Lynden Cole led off the top of the seventh with a solo bomb to make the final score of 8-5 in favor of Eastern Oklahoma. 

Hayden White (Red Oak, OK) got the start in the circle for the Bucks and lasted 3.0 innings. White (0-1) gave up 8 earned runs on 10 hits, striking out and walking a pair. Mallory Abercrombie (Foreman, AR) came on in the fourth inning in relief, pitching the final 3.0 innings. The freshmen gave up no runs on 2 hits and struck out 1 hitter.

Game Two

The ladies wanted to rebound after the loss. After a scoreless first three innings, the ladies put up a 3-spot in the top of the fourth and 6 more runs in the top of the fifth to run-rule Eastern, 9-1, in five innings.

After a single and a runner reaching on an error started the top half of the fourth, a run scored on a fielder's choice. Next at-bat, Lynden Cole hit her second home run of the day to give the ladies at 3-0 lead. The Bucks continued their offensive momentum in the fifth inning that included the ladies recording 6 hits in the inning. The Bucks scored on a passed ball, RBI singles by Linley Collins (Whitesboro, OK) and Kensley Allen, and scoring on a throw. Abby Ward (Bella Vista, AR) then came to the plate and recorded her first hit of her collegiate career that plated a pair of runs to end the scoring for the Bucks.

Mena's own Abigail Koppein (Mena, AR) got her first collegiate start in the circle this afternoon. She would work efficiently, keeping the Lady Mountaineers off balance. Koppein (1-0) picked up her first collegiate win in 5.0 innings of work. The left-hander gave up 1 run on 6 hits, striking out a lone hitter.

The ladies now will turn the page and head to Malvern, AR next Tuesday, February 10th, to take on ASU Three Rivers. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm.

#DefendTheMountain