BLOSSOMS SPLIT WITH DELTA STATE

MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team split a non-conference doubleheader against Delta State Tuesday at Alvy Early Softball Field. The Blossoms put together a late rally to take game one of the day 8-7 before the bats went quiet in game two leading to a 12-2 defeat.

UAM moves to 7-13 overall on the season while Delta State goes to 19-13 on the year.

GAME ONE: UAM 8, DSU 7

The Blossoms fell behind quickly in game one as the Lady Statesmen were on the attack early against starter Sam Stephens plating three runs on two hits including a two-run home run in the top of the first inning.

UAM responded in the bottom of the second when Madison Gardiner drove a two-run double into the gap in left center to score Caroline Tedder and Grace Neal.

Stephens settled down a bit on the bump working a scoreless second frame, but the Blossoms went the bullpen in the third after two hitters reached with just one out. Maddie Chalenburg quickly dispelled the threat with a strikeout and Gardiner caught the runner trying to steal third to end the frame.

DSU pushed its lead back to three runs with another two-run home run in the top of the fourth against Chalenburg.

The deficit for UAM climbed up to five runs after the Lady Statesmen plated a pair in the fifth to make the score 7-2.

In the home half of the inning the Blossoms started their comeback. UAM loaded the bases with one out before Haley Godeaux drove in two with a single through the right side. Hannah Holdbrook came in to pinch run for Godeaux and swiped second forcing an errant throw by the short stop trying to catch Sierra Gasca scampering home. Two batters later Madison Morrissey brought in the final run of the frame on an infield single to third putting the Blossoms down just one run, 7-6.

UAM carried the momentum into the bottom of the sixth as Godeaux and Neal each picked up RBI-singles to give the Blossoms the lead.

Chalenburg finished off the win for UAM by leaving a pair of runners stranded in the top of the seventh to secure the 8-7 victory.

Godeaux paced the Blossoms at the plate driving in three runs while going 2-for-4. Neal also had a perfect day at the plate going 3-for-3 while driving in one and scoring once.

Chalenburg (W, 2-4) earned the win allowing four runs on five hits while striking out five in 4.2 innings in relief.

Stephens gave up three runs on four hits in 2.1 on the mound in the start.

Lacey Coats (L, 13-4) took the loss surrendering eight runs on 10 hits in 6.0 innings pitched.

GAME TWO: DSU 12, UAM 2

The second contest of the day had a similar start as UAM starter Alexis Pevehouse ran into early trouble in the first giving up three runs on two hits in the opening frame.

The Blossoms were able to respond in the home half of the inning without the help of a hit scoring once on a wild pitch.

DSU would add one run in the second and one in the third against Pevehouse prompting UAM to bring in Jamie Franks to start the fourth.

Franks was welcomed with a difficult frame as the Lady Statesmen plated four runs on three hits and two UAM errors.

Haley Cornell picked up the first hit of the contest for the Blossoms in the bottom of the fourth roping a solo blast over the fence in center field. However that would be all the offense UAM would be able to must despite picking up three more hits over the next two innings.

The Lady Statesmen would bring home three more runs on two hits in the top of the sixth. The Blossom put two runners on in the bottom of the frame but left them stranded to ultimately fall 12-2 in six innings.

Pevehouse (L, 1-2) took the loss giving up five runs on seven hits in 3.0 innings on the mound.

Franks surrendered seven runs on five hits in 3.0 inning of relief.

Olivia Burns (W, 5-6) picked up the win allowing two runs on four hits over 6.0 innings of work.

UP NEXT

UAM hosts Great American Conference foe Harding at Alvy Early Softball Field for a three-game series Friday and Saturday. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 3 p.m.