ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team and Henderson State opened their four-game Gulf South Conference series with split decisions on Saturday, started with a 2-1 win for the Lady Reddies and finished with a 5-0 win for the Cotton Blossoms.
 
UAM (42-9, 19-5 GSC) entered the double-header ranked first in the GSC in team batting average, but HSU starter Melissa Decker held the Blossoms to only four hits, including UAM’s only run-production – a solo homerun by freshman Faith Lund in the top of the seventh inning.
 
The Lady Reddies (23-22, 12-12 GSC) scored both of their runs in the bottom of the first inning off a pair of wild pitches by UAM starter Kayla Jackson and an RBI double by Amber Wilburn.
 
Jackson (22-5) was saddled with the loss despite only allowing HSU to reach scoring position twice after the rocky first inning. The Hallsville, Texas native finished the game with two runs allowed off eight hits with one strikeout and no walks. Decker (8-5) earned the win after allowing one run off four hits with two strikeouts and two walks.
 
In the second half of the double-header, the Cotton Blossoms exploded with six consecutive hits and the game’s only five runs in the top of the first inning, including a grand slam homerun by Jackson. Junior Sarah Hayslip opened the scoring with an RBI single in the previous at bat.
 
Sophomore Amanda Nordberg (16-2) earned the win in complete-game shutout style after holding the Lady Reddies to only four hits, while striking out a career-high 10 batters with only two walks. It was her 10th complete game of the season and third shutout. Britney Benedict (10-13) suffered the loss after not recording an out in the top of the first inning, while allowing five runs off six hits.
 
The Cotton Blossoms and Lady Reddies conclude the four-game series tomorrow (Sunday) with a double-header at Dee White Field on the HSU campus. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.