Game 1 Box Score (HTML) | Game 2 Box Score (HTML)

SEARCY, Arkansas – The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team opened its four-game Great American Conference road series against Harding with a split on Saturday, winning the first game 5-4 in nine innings before falling 7-2 in the nightcap.

In the first game, the Blossoms (16-5, 8-2 GAC) erased an early 2-0 deficit to take a one-run lead on a two-run homerun by senior Lacy Blanchard in the bottom of the sixth. Despite playing at the Harding Softball Complex, the Blossoms were still the home team on the scoreboard since this weekend's series was supposed to be played in Monticello.

After taking that one-run lead in the sixth, the Lady Bisons (7-17, 2-8 GAC) answered in the top of the seventh with one run to force extra innings.

Neither team scored in the eighth before Harding broke the tie with a single run in the top of the ninth. UAM responded by loading the bases with one out in the ninth before getting a run off a Harding error followed by the game-winning single from true freshman Aubree Head.

Harding opened the scoring with solo homeruns in the first two innings. UAM junior Holly Wilmarth cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the third inning with an RBI double to score sophomore Korie Parker, who also doubled in the inning.

Senior Katie Slaughter went the distance for the Blossoms in the win to improve her season record to 8-1.

In the nightcap, the Lady Bisons held UAM scoreless on only three hits for the first five innings, before the Blossoms plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit in half at 4-2. Harding responded with three runs in the top half of the seventh inning, which ended up being the final runs of the game.

UAM's two runs in the sixth came on a single from senior Sydney Tipton to score Wilmarth and freshman Skyler Anderson, both reaching on singles earlier in the rally.

Harding built a 4-0 lead through first four innings with one run in each of the first and third innings before pushing two across in the fourth.

Junior Kali Piha paced the UAM offense on Saturday with two hits in both games, going 2-for-4 in the opener and 2-for-3 in the second half of the twin bill. Wilmarth, Head and senior Kayley Willingham all had two hits in the first game. Tipton was UAM's only other multi-hit performer in the nightcap with a 2-for-3 outing.

The Blossoms and Bisons are set to wrap up the series on Sunday with a double-header starting at 1 p.m. in Searcy.