ARKADELPHIA, Arkansas — The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball split a pair of games on the final day of the Ronnie Hawkins Invitational on Sunday, beating Missouri Western 9-6 and losing to Northeastern State 8-1.
In the first game, Missouri Western (1-2) jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and held that lead until the top of the third when the Blossoms (1-3) busted loose with four runs, highlighted by a two-run double from senior McKenzie Rice. Seniors Holly Wilmarth and Kali Piha also had run-producing at bats during the rally.
MWSU's Taylor Hamilton responded in the bottom of the third inning with a solo homerun to force a 4-all tie. UAM answered in the top of the fifth with another four-run inning, this time all runs coming on one swing, a grand slam to left field by freshman Kali Bolter. That put UAM up 8-4.
The Griffons had four hits in the bottom of the sixth and scored two runs to pull to within two at 8-6, but UAM starter Alyson Finnigan retired four of the final five MWSU batters to end the threat. UAM added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on an RBI single from junior Korie Parker.
Finnigan (1-0) earned the win in complete-game fashion, giving up six runs (four earned) off nine hits with three strikeouts and four walks.
In the second game, the Blossoms struggled at the plate and only had three base runners through the first five innings.
Northeastern State's Ryan Martin accounted for all but one of her team's runs with three-run homeruns in her first two at bats followed by a sacrifice fly in her third trip to the plate.
Bolter put UAM on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning with an RBI single as a part of three straight hits for the Blossoms, the first two singles coming from Wilmarth and Piha.
The Blossoms are back in action next weekend at the 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Arkansas. UAM plays six games throughout the weekend, starting with Minnesota Duluth and Fort Hays State on Friday, February 12 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
