MONTICELLO – The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team recorded its 9th and 10th wins of the season by sweeping Alcorn State on Wednesday with a 3-0 win in the first game and an 11-3 run-rule victory in the second game.
 
In the 3-0 win, sophomore pitcher Kayla Jackson (5-2) tossed a complete-game shutout and allowed only three hits with three strikeouts and no walks. She tallied two perfect innings and only faced 24 batters in the win.
 
Offensively, the Cotton Blossoms (10-4) started the scoring on an RBI-single in the first inning by senior Becca Tipton (reigning GSC-West Player of the Week) that scored Jackson, who led off the inning with a walk.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Tipton picked up her second RBI of the game on a groundout to score sophomore Jennifer Hickman, who tripled to right field earlier in the frame.
 
The Cotton Blossoms added their final run in the sixth on a fielding error by the ASU first baseman, allowing pinch-runner Chasity Desselle to score from second base.
 
In the 11-3 win, the Cotton Blossoms posted five runs in the bottom of the first, three runs in the second and three runs in the fifth for the run-rule victory (eight runs after five innings).
 
The Lady Braves (5-8) started the game’s scoring in the top of the first inning on an RBI-single by Bianca Armstrong and added their final two runs in the fifth inning on a two-run homerun by Christine Garcia.
 
Jackson led off the bottom of the first inning with her first homerun of the season, a solo shot to center field that sparked a five-run inning. Junior Sarah Hayslip delivered the big blow in the inning with a two-RBI double to right center field. Junior Kendra White and freshman Maggie Sands also had RBI-at bats in the inning.
 
UAM’s three-runs in the second inning came off one swing, a three-run homerun to left center by freshman Faith Lund.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, UAM ended the game with another three runs, two of which coming on a two-run homerun by White that cleared the right field fence. Hickman delivered the game-ending hit, an RBI-single up the middle to score senior Bethany Falcon, who reached on an error earlier in the inning.
 
Reigning GSC-West Pitcher of the Week Amanda Nordberg (4-1) went the distance for the Cotton Blossoms, allowing three runs off four hits with two strikeouts and three walks in five innings of work.
 
The Cotton Blossoms travel to Arkadelphia, Ark. tomorrow (3/4) to face Southeastern Oklahoma State at Ouachita Baptist’s softball field. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.