BOX SCORE

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team advanced into the winner’s bracket of the 2013 Great American Conference Championship Tournament and remained undefeated all-time in the event with a 5-3 victory over Southern Arkansas Thursday evening at the Tiger Athletic Complex.

UAM is now set to face off against nationally-ranked No.3 and the top-seeded Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm in the winner’s bracket Thursday night at approximately 10 p.m.

UAM (29-23) started the game with a four-run rally in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI triple from junior Beth Johnson and a three-run double from freshman Kali Piha.

The Lady Muleriders (27-28) reached the scoreboard with two runs in the top of the fourth on an RBI single from Kelsie Garza and an RBI grounder from Darian Harris.

UAM took a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth on a leadoff homerun from senior Randa Perry.

SAU finalized the scoring with one run in the top of the fifth on an RBI single from Mackenzie Spanko.

Sophomore Katie Slaughter (14-10) earned the complete-game win after allowing three runs (two earned) off seven hits with five strikeouts and just one walk in seven innings of work. Hannah Gill (18-14) suffered the loss in complete-game fashion, allowing five runs off seven hits with five strikeouts and three walks.