GAME 1 BOX SCORE /// GAME 2 BOX SCORE
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team split a Great American Conference double header on Saturday on the road, losing to Arkansas Tech 5-1 in the first game before responding with a 7-4 win the second game.
Arkansas Tech (20-17, 13-11) rode the bat of Whitney Robinson in the first game. Robinson was 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI double in the third, and RBI single in the third and an RBI fielder’s choice in the fourth. ATU scored their other two runs off an infield single from Jessica Black in the fourth and took advantage of a UAM error for its final run.
UAM’s lone run of the game came off the bat of freshman Kali Piha with an RBI single in the second to score junior Summer Huddleston, who also singled in the inning.
Senior Randa Perry (8-10) took the loss aftger allowing five runs (four earned) off nine hits with two strikeouts and two walks in a complete-game effort. Victorie Huie (11-9) earned the win for ATU after allowing just one run off seven hits with seven strikeouts and no walks, also in a complete-game effort.
Piha increased UAM’s lead to 7-0 in the top of the fourth inning of the second game with a grand slam homerun, her third homerun of the season and 24th run batted in this year, which is tied for the team lead.
Prior to Piha’s four-run shot in the fourth, UAM opened the scoring on an RBI single from sophomore Sara Matthews in the first inning. The Cotton Blossoms added to that lead with two runs in the third inning on a bases-loaded walk from freshman Taylor Norris and taking advantage of an ATU wild pitch.
The Golden Suns went to the long ball for all four of their run production. Siarra Gomez hit a two-run homerun in the fourth, while Nikki Nail hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh.
Sophomore Katie Slaughter (11-5) earned the win in complete-game style, allowing four runs off five hits with six strikeouts and two walks in her seven innings of work. Shanna Davidson (2-5) took the loss for ATU after allowing three runs off seven hits with three walks in the first 2.1 innings of the game.
The two teams will conclude the four-game series on Sunday with a double-header starting at noon.
