MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team split its second day of Great American Conference matchups with Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday and ended up taking the series, 3-1. After a game one loss, the Blossoms mounted a comeback victory in game two, headlined by some big extra-base hits from Sydney Webster and Caroline Tedder.
 
With the split, the Blossoms are 11-10 overall and 9-3 in GAC games opening the season.
 
GAME ONE: NWOSU 9, UAM 4
Northwestern used two innings to tally all nine of their runs and UAM could not rally late in the game for a comeback.
 
In the top of the second, the Rangers registered five runs to go ahead, 5-0. The Blossoms responded with one in the bottom of the inning thanks to a solo home run from Kara DeBruin.
 
They then added three to make it a one-run game after an RBI single from Hannah Holdbrook, an RBI groundout from Tedder and an RBI double from Webster in the bottom of the third.
 
After that, NWOSU's hurler Alexia Taylor retired eight straight Blossom hitters. The Rangers then mounted a four-run sixth and earned the win, 9-4.
 
Taylor (W, 1-2) got the win hurling 7.0 innings allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four.
 
Raegyn Parrish (L, 1-2) took the loss surrendering five runs on two hits and three walks while punching out one.
 
GAME TWO: NWOSU 8, UAM 9
The second contest was more of a back-and-forth affair beginning and ending with Blossom runs.
 
In the first, Debruin stayed hot with a two-run double helping UAM jump out to an early lead.
 
Webster later grounded out on a bunt to score Holdbrook in the third putting the Blossoms ahead, 3-0.
 
The Rangers put up two runs in the top of the fourth, but took the lead in the top of the fifth after a three-run home run made it, 6-3.
 
In the bottom frame, UAM sprung for some fireworks though. With two runners on, Webster clubbed a three-run homer to left tying the game, 6-6.
 
The Rangers answered in the top of the sixth with two runs going ahead, 8-6, but UAM got some more clutch hits in the bottom frame.
 
Katelynn Stamper drove in Sierra Gasca to make it a one-run game, and later, Tedder doubled to score Holdbrook and Stamper, giving the Blossoms the lead, 9-8.
 
Hayley McGhee then shut the door and the Blossoms won the contest.
 
McGhee (W, 4-3) got the win going 2.0 innings allowing one run on two hits and striking out two.
 
Alli Willis took the loss for the Rangers allowing one run on two hits not finishing and inning of work.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will play a mid-week road contest at Delta State University on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.