MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team was defeated twice by the number two nationally ranked team in the nation, Harding University, in a GAC doubleheader Sunday afternoon.  

Game number one for the Blossoms (31-17, 24-12 GAC) against the Bisons of Harding (45-5, 35-3 GAC) featured UAM out on top of HU in the bottom of the first inning after a sacrifice bunt by Korie Parker advanced McKenzie Rice, who then made her way across the plate after a Harding error on the play. 

Kaylee Freeman followed this up with a single up the middle to score Maranda Clendenin to give the home squad a 2-0 early advantage. 

Arkansas-Monticello continued its scoring ways in the following inning beginning with Rice reaching base on another Bisons error which scored two runs in favor of UAM. Kali Bolter was then able to score on a wild pitch in the next at-bat to put the Blossoms lead out to 5-0. 

Harding however recorded five runs in the top of the fifth inning to tie up the ballgame, and added two additional runs in the top of the seventh to take the lead and eventually the game over UAM at 7-5. 

Kendra Coleman started in the circle for Arkansas-Monticello as she threw a complete 7.0 innings and totaled eight strikeouts in the contest. 

The second match-up of the afternoon for the Blossoms and the Bisons consisted of a pitchers duel throughout most of this game as each team remained locked in a 0-0 tie until the top of the sixth.

HU was able to secure three runs in the inning to take a 3-0 lead over UAM, and unfortunately would prove to be the deciding factor as the Blossoms failed to score any runs the rest of the way in this contest. Only Parker and Rice would produce one hit a piece in the game, and McKenzie notched stolen base number 15 on the year as well. 

Kaylee Freeman started the second game of the day, pitching 6.0 total innings, only allowing one earned run and struck out four batters. Alyson Finnigan and Sara Squires each combined to throw the final inning in relief also for UAM. 

The Blossoms will hit the field next on Monday, April 24, as Arkansas-Monticello will take on Harding University once against in a GAC doubleheader at Blossoms Field with game one slated to start at 1 p.m.