MONTICELLO – The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball split a pair of non-conference games with the Great American Conference's first-place team on Tuesday, beating Henderson State 3-2 in the first game and falling 8-5 in the nightcap.

After being held scoreless through the first five innings of the first game, the Blossoms (21-17) broke loose for three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the lead. Senior Briana Daugherty started the rally by drawing a bases-loaded walk in a pinch-hit appearance. Junior Holly Wilmarth followed with a two-run double down the left field line for the go ahead runs.

The Lady Reddies (31-9) rallied to get the tying run on second base in the top of the seventh, but senior starting pitcher Katie Slaughter (13-7) left her there to record the complete-game victory.

Wilmarth led the Blossoms in the first game with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate. She accounted for all but two of UAM's total hits in the win.

In the nightcap, the Blossoms hit five solo homeruns, but a pair of three-run innings for the Lady Reddies was enough to force a double-header split.

Senior Lacy Blanchard recorded her first multi-homerun game by going 2-for-3 with solo round-trippers fourth and seventh innings. UAM also had homeruns from Wilmarth, junior Kali Piha and sophomore Korie Parker. Parker and Piha joined Blanchard to have two hits in the loss.

HSU scored three runs in the third and fifth innings, while also plating a single run in each of the fourth and seventh innings. HSU's Kiersten Seahorn went 3-for-4 with two homeruns and four RBI to lead her team's winning effort.

The Blossoms are scheduled to return to action on Thursday at Delta State for a non-conference double-header starting at 4 p.m.