MAGNOLIA, Arkansas — The University of Arkansas at Monticello split its Great American Conference road double-header against 23rd-ranked Southern Arkansas on Tuesday night, winning the first game 5-3 in nine innings and losing the second game 5-4.

In the first game, neither team reached the scoreboard until a three-run sixth inning rally for the Blossoms that featured an RBI double from senior Kali Piha followed immediately by a two-run home run from junior McKenzie Rice.

UAM (27-21, 21-15 GAC) only had one hit and two total base runners in the first five innings.

SAU (34-7, 26-7 GAC) answered in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings with a three-run home run by Tyler Casada.

After a scoreless eighth, the Blossoms scored two in the top of the ninth on an RBI fielder's choice from freshman Kali Bolter and an RBI groundout from freshman pinch-hitter Jordan Williams.

Junior Kendra Coleman (13-10) went the distance for the Blossoms, giving up three runs (two earned) off nine hits with three strikeouts and three walks.

In the second game, UAM held a 4-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh after two runs in the fifth and two in the sixth, highlighted by a solo homerun from junior Korie Parker. UAM's scoring in the fifth came on a wild pitch and an SAU error. Parker's homer accounted for one of UAM's runs in the sixth. The other scored one another SAU error.

However, the Lady Muleriders were able to salvage the split by rallying for three runs in the bottom of the seventh, including a game-ending RBI hit from Chelsea Jordan.

The Blossoms are back on the road this weekend in a four-game GAC series against East Central.