It's over Lady Bucks fall to Rose Bud

HARRISON Smackover’s magical season came to an abrupt end Friday. Rose Bud banged out three home runs, including a grand slam and rocked the Lady Bucks 11-1 in the second round of the 3A State Softball Tournament.

Smackover finished with a 33-3 record while the Lady Ramblers improved to 28-5.

“Today, that team was better than us,” said Smackover coach Dennis Steele. “All I can say is, hat’s off to them. I hope they win state. They have an awfully good team.”

Rose Bud’s Joley Mitchell opened the game with a home run off senior Mallory Brewer. Two doubles and a base hit staked the Lady Ramblers to a 3-0 lead in the first.

Rose Bud followed that with five runs in the third. Lauryn Swaffer’s grand slam pushed the lead to 7-0. Another solo homer chased Brewer, who gave the ball to senior Ashley Haynes in the circle.

“We didn’t reach our goal, which was to win state, but we know what we have to work on,” said Steele. “I told the girls, not to hang their heads. A 33-3 record is still the best in the state percentage-wise. I thought they had a very, very good year.”

The Lady Bucks scored a run in the fourth. Reagan Richardson singled and Lexie Gilbert walked before Abbi Crawford drove in a run with a base hit.

Smackover managed just three hits in the game. Rose Bud’s Gracie Hartle struck out 14 batters.

Lydia Pullin had the Lady Bucks’ other hit.