BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team took down East Central in the opening round game of the Great American Conference Tournament by a final score of 2-0. 

The first game of the 2017 GAC Championship Tournament for Arkansas-Monticello (34-21, 26-16 GAC) against the Tigers of ECU (31-25, 22-21 GAC) featured a closely contested battle between the two programs that met in competition just last week in Monticello. 

The Blossoms were on the board first after scoring on an error by the Tigers to take the 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. 

UAM capped off its scoring in the bottom of the third after a Maranda Clendenin solo home run down the left field line put the Blossom lead out to 2-0 which was ultimately enough to claim the first round victory.  

Kendra Coleman (W, 21-7) picked up the win in the match-up after throwing a complete game, three-hit shutout for UAM and lowered her season earned run average down to just 1.20 overall.

Offensively Arkansas-Monticello was anchored by Clendenin who went 1-for-3 with one run scored, one run batted in and one home run on the day. McKenzie Rice provided a two hit day for the Blossoms as well as she went 2-for-3 in the contest.

Kaylee Freeman, Ashton Currey, and Cailyn Bolick each registered hits for the UAM offensive attack as well, and Currey added a stolen base to her stat line also. 

The Blossoms will take on Harding University next this evening in the next match-up of the GAC Championship Tournament after HU defeated Ouachita in its opening round game, 3-1. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. between UAM and the Bisons at the Tiger Athletic Complex in Bentonville.