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University of Arkansas at Monticello Athletics

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Johnson, Beth swing

Softball By: Brian Ramsey

BLOSSOMS SPLIT WITH SAU, SNAP WINNING STREAK

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The sixth-ranked University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team split with Southern Arkansas on Saturday, snapping a 16-game winning streak with a 9-1 loss in the first game and responding with an 11-5 win in the second half of the twin bill.

In the loss, the Lady Muleriders (7-19, 2-4 Gulf South Conference) took advantage of a pair of UAM errors to plate five runs in the first two innings. SAU finalized its scoring with a pair of homeruns, a solo shot by Julie Essary in the fifth and a three-run blast by Heather Allison in the sixth. It is UAM’s first run-rule loss since April 5, 2009.

The Cotton Blossoms (22-2, 5-1 GSC) only reached scoring position once in the first four innings, and plated their only run in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by freshman catcher Brittany Eitel.

Junior Kayla Jackson (12-1) took the loss, allowing five runs off five hits in her three innings of work, but only one of her runs allowed was earned due to UAM’s defensive errors. Sophomore reliever Faith Lund’s outing was also hindered by errors. Lund allowed four runs (one earned) off three hits in the final 2.2 innings.

SAU’s Taylor Clifton (2-5) earned the win, allowing one run off four hits in the first four innings. Candice Collier earned her first save of the season for SAU, holding UAM scoreless on only one hit in the final two innings.

The Cotton Blossoms responded in the second game with all but one spot in the lineup having at least one hit. UAM finished the game with a 13-6 advantage in the hit category.

The Lady Muleriders gave UAM a scare with three runs in the first and two in the second. However, junior reliever Randa Perry (3-0) shut the door on SAU in the final five innings. Perry kept SAU scoreless on only two hits, while striking out four and allowing no walks. She threw four perfect innings.

Offensively, the Cotton Blossoms started their come-back rally with back-to-back solo homeruns in the top of the second from freshmen Beth Johnson and Sydney Williams.

Then in the third, UAM grabbed its first lead of the day with a four-run inning, highlighted by a two-RBI double from senior Sarah Hayslip. Jackson and freshman Summer Huddleston also had RBI hits in the frame.

UAM added three more runs in the top of the fifth on one swing, a three-run homerun by Lund, her fifth round-tripper of the year.

Johnson gave UAM a 10-5 lead in the sixth with an RBI double down the right field line to score Jackson, who doubled to right earlier in the inning.

UAM’s final run of the game came in the form of junior Meagan Wilson, who singled and eventually scored due to a pair of throwing errors by the Lady Muleriders.

The two squads are set to conclude the four-game series on Sunday, March 20 with a double-header at noon.
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