COMMERCE, Texas - The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team dropped a pair of contests at the Texas A&M Commerce/UT-Tyler Invitational on Saturday from Commerce, Texas. After falling in game one against Texas A&M International University, 10-9, the Blossoms fell to No. 10 Texas A&M Commerce University in game two, 6-5.
 
In both games, the Blossoms had leads in the late innings, but were unable to hold them. To drop the first contest, the Blossoms surrendered four runs in the bottom of the seventh. As for game two, UAM had a 4-0 lead in the third, but it surrendered a pair of runs in the fourth and four in the fifth to fall, 6-5.
 
With the losses, UAM falls to 1-3 to begin the season.
 
GAME ONE – UAM 9, TAMI 10
In a game that had a lot of scoring, the Blossoms fell after a bottom of the seventh rally by A&M International.
 
The Dustdevils took an early lead plating five runs in the bottom of the first. UAM responded with a pair in the top of the second.
 
With a pair of runners on, Hannah Holdbrook got ahold of a ball and tripled to center allowing Sierra Gasca and Chelsea Anderson to score cutting the deficit to three.
 
After a TAMI run in the third made it 6-2, the Blossoms started making moves. Katelynn Stamper singled to score Sydney Webster in the top of the fourth, and Webster doubled in a run in the top of the fifth to make it a two-run game.
 
In the sixth, UAM exploded for five runs to get out in front. Holdbrook was the first run to come around after a bases loaded walk. Then, Mahayla Mitchell was hit by a pitch driving another run. Webster followed with another walk and Mackenzie Rodgers then singled to score Caroline Tedder putting the Blossoms ahead, 9-6.
 
UAM held the Dustdevils scoreless in the sixth and then were held scoreless on their end in the top of the seventh and tried to close it out in the bottom of the inning. TAMI put the leadoff runner on in the inning and later got a pair on with one out. They later drove in both runs with a double and later, with the bases loaded, hit a fly ball to left that was dropped allowing the tying and the winning runs to come across, sealing the victory, 10-9.
 
Alexis Pevehouse (L, O-1), going 6.0 innings allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits and five walks while striking out two.
 
Mi Martinez (W, 1-0) earned the win going 1.2 innings allowing one walk and one hit.
 
GAME TWO – UAM 5, TAMC 6
The Blossoms got out in front early thanks to some solid offense.
 
In the top of the first, UAM put a runner on for Tedder. She then took the first pitch she saw over the leftfield wall to put the Blossoms up, 2-0.
 
After a scoreless second, UAM was back for more in the third. Stamper got on for Kara DeBruin who then doubled down the rightfield line to score her. Later, Tedder singled via a bunt which allowed DeBruin to score making 4-0 Blossoms.
 
In the fourth inning, the Lions responded with a pair of runs. After a passed ball one run to come across, TAMC then doubled to cut the UAM lead to two.
 
With the Blossoms clinging to their two-run lead, the Lions got back out in front in the bottom of the fourth, by manufacturing a quartet of runs to go ahead, 6-5.
 
Unfortunately, the Blossoms were unable to score in the remaining frames, dropping the contest, 6-5.
 
Hayley McGee (L, 0-1) took the loss going 2.2 innings allowing four runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out four.
 
Emily Otto (W, 4-1) got the win for Commerce going 6.0 innings allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks while punching out six.
 
UP NEXT
The Blossoms will conclude their tournament tomorrow with a 9 a.m. start against Rogers State University (Okla.).