MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team opened its four-game Great American Conference home series against No. 5 Arkansas Tech with a pair of losses on Saturday, falling 4-2 in the first game and 12-7 in the second game.

After being limited to just two hits and striking out seven times in the first four innings, the Golden Suns (34-3, 24-2 GAC) woke up with four runs off three hits in the top of the fifth, including a two-run homerun by Destiny Crumpley. Those four runs were Tech's only scoring plays of the game.

Following that four-run fifth, UAM junior starter Kendra Coleman (10-8) retired the side in order in each of the sixth and seventh innings.

UAM's offense came on a solo homerun by senior center fielder Holly Wilmarth in the bottom of the third and an RBI fielder's choice groundout by junior third baseman McKenzie Rice in the bottom of the seventh.

UAM was held to just four hits in the loss, while Tech only managed five.

The lack of offense from the first game did not carry over into the second half of the double-header, as Tech jumped out to a quick lead with four runs in the first and three more in the second. The Suns ended with 12 runs off 14 hits, led by Jalissa Gum's 4-for-4 performance, all extra base hits.

UAM had a slow start in the second game, not reaching the scoreboard until the bottom of the third inning on an RBI single from junior shortstop Korie Parker. The Blossoms added another three runs in the fifth on RBI singles from senior left fielder Kali Piha and junior designated player Allison Stipes, whole also scoring on a fielder's choice.

That three-run fifth inning allowed the Blossoms to extend the game with Tech leading 11-1 at the start of the rally.

The Blossoms rallied for three more runs in the seventh, highlighted by a two-run homerun from Parker. Freshman Megan Moore also had an RBI single in the inning.

UAM ended the game with just one fewer hit than Tech at 13, led by Piha with a 3-for-4 game. Parker, Wilmarth and junior third baseman McKenzie Rice all had two hits in the loss.

The Blossoms and Golden Suns wrap up the series with a double-header on Sunday starting at 1 p.m. at Blossoms Field.