MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team split a Great American Conference rivalry double-header with Southern Arkansas on Tuesday, losing the first game 4-1 and winning the second game 3-1.

Southern Arkansas (27-4, 19-4 GAC) used a pair of two-run doubles to win the first game. UAM (22-14, 17-9 GAC) was limited to four hits in the loss, and scored its only run on a leadoff homerun from freshman Kali Bolter in the bottom of the seventh.

Despite taking the loss, freshman Paisley Pratt (2-1) shined in her first career start, striking out nine SAU batters and walking only one.

In the second half of the double-header, both teams plated one run in the first inning. UAM's run came on an RBI single from junior Korie Parker to score senior McKenzie Rice, who led off with a single and moved into scoring position on a single from sophomore Ashton Currey.

In the fourth inning, senior Holly Wilmarth hit her ninth homerun of the season, a two-run shot to right field, to put UAM up 3-1 and finalize the scoring.

After the first inning, senior Kendra Coleman (10-7), the reigning GAC pitcher of the week, did not allow a SAU to reach second base and had a streak of 11 consecutive batters retired. Coleman finished with just one run allowed on six hits with six strikeouts and no walks in her complete-game victory.

UAM had eight hits in the win, led by Currey's 3-for-3 performance and Rice's 2-for-2 outing.

The Blossoms are back in action this weekend at home in a four-game GAC series against league-leading and fourth-ranked Arkansas Tech. More information about that series will be released later in the week.