MONTICELLO – Senior second baseman Emilie Hobbs became the University of Arkansas at Monticello softball program’s all-time stolen base leader on Saturday in 6-1 and 7-1 wins over Illinois-Springfield.
 
Hobbs picked up her 42nd career stolen base and 16th of this season in the fourth inning of the Blossom’s 6-1 win over the Stars (0-4). Hobbs already owns UAM’s single-season record after swiping 26-of-28 bases in the 2009. She went 3-for-4 with a two-RBI double in the first game and 1-for-3 with a two-RBI triple in the second game.
 
Hobbs’ achievement overshadowed the pitching dominance of sophomore Kayla Jackson (10-2) in the first game. Jackson retired the game’s first 10 batters before allowing her first of four UIS hits. She struck out 12 of the 24 batters she faced, while not allowing a walk. In her 11th complete game of the season, she allowed only one run, which was unearned.
 
The Cotton Blossoms (19-4) scored two runs in the second inning with Hobbs’ two-RBI double and added four more runs in the fourth, highlighted by a pair of homeruns. Sophomore Meagan Wilson picked up her second round-tripper of the season, this time of the two-run variety, while freshman Faith Lund picked up her team-high seventh homer with a solo shot.
 
In the second game, UAM plated four runs in the second inning with Hobbs’ two-RBI triple and a two-RBI single by junior Kendra White.
 
Junior Sarah Hayslip gave the Blossoms a 5-0 lead in the third with an RBI-double to score senior Becca Tipton, who doubled to lead off the inning.
 
Freshman Maggie Sands was responsible for UAM’s final two runs with a two-RBI single in the bottom of the fifth.
 
Sophomore Amanda Nordberg (7-1) had an impressive performance, allowing only one run (unearned) off two hits with five strikeouts and four walks in five and two thirds innings of work.
 
The Cotton Blossoms and Stars conclude the four-game series on Sunday with a double-header starting at 1 p.m. at Blossoms Field.