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ADA, Okla. – Junior Sara Matthews combined for three homeruns and seven runs batted in to lead the University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team in a double-header split on the road against East Central on Sunday. UAM won the first game 9-3 and lost the second game 10-3.

Matthews started her offensive showing with a pinch-hit three-run homerun to left field in the top of the fifth inning of the first game to put the Blossoms (22-17, 13-13 GAC) up 7-1. She added another round-tripper in the seventh, this time a two-run shot to center field.

Senior Brittany Eitel and freshman McKenzie Rice each posted multi-hit performances in the win. Rice went 3-for-5. Eitel went 2-for-2.

Junior Katie Slaughter (11-9) earned the complete-game victory, giving up four runs off five hits with four strikeouts and no walks in seven innings of work.

Matthews added another two-run homerun in the top of the fifth inning of the second game to trim UAM's deficit down to 9-3. The Lady Tigers (20-15, 12-10 GAC) scored four runs in the second, three in the third, two in the fourth and one in the fifth, highlighted by two-run homeruns from Gena Mengwasser in the third and fourth innings.

UAM opened the scoring on an RBI single from sophomore Kali Piha in the top of the first inning.

Junior Lacy Blanchard (1-2) took the loss after giving up five runs (three earned) off three hits in the first two innings.

The Blossoms are back in action next Friday and Saturday, April 4-5 at home in a four-game GAC series against Southeastern Oklahoma State. Friday's double-header starts at 1 p.m. Saturday's games are set for a noon start.