UAM-MSSU Box Score (HTML) | UAM-MC Box Score (HTML)

ARKADELPHIA, Arkansas – The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team opened the 2015 season on Saturday at the Ronnie Hawkins Invitational with a 4-2 win over Missouri Southern State and a 2-1 loss to Mississippi College.

In the win over Missouri Southern, junior Holly Wilmarth led the charge for the Blossoms (1-1) in her UAM debut, going 3-for-3 at the plate including an RBI single and a two-run homerun. She drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the first inning in her first plate appearance.

UAM's other run came off the bat off the bat of junior Kelli Halder with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Lions (1-1) scored single runs in the fourth and sixth innings, including a solo homerun by Kathryn Goins in the sixth to cut her team's deficit to one run.

Junior Katherine Batey (1-0) earned the win for UAM in complete-game style, allowing two runs (one earned) off five hits with six strikeouts and two walks in seven innings of work.

In the nightcap, a two-run homerun off the bat of Mississippi College's Macee Lee in the top of the sixth was the difference maker. The Blossoms scored the first run of the game off an error in the second inning.

Choctaws pitcher Carlie Sargent (1-0) held UAM to just three hits, while striking out 10 Blossoms in a complete-game effort. Senior Katie Slaughter (0-1) took the loss for UAM after giving up the game-deciding homerun.

The Blossoms are back in action in the Ronnie Hawkins Invitational on Sunday against Missouri Western and Christian Brothers and 10 a.m. and noon, respectively.