ALVA, Okla. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team split its opening day doubleheader at Northwestern Oklahoma State University Friday. After falling 5-2 in game one, the offense came to life for the Blossoms en route to a 10-5 victory in game two.
GAME ONE: NWOSU 5 - UAM 2
The Blossoms (1-1, 1-1) jumped on the scoreboard early scratching a pair of runs across the plate in the second inning. After a hit by pitch and bunt single Katelynn Stamper brought home the first run on fielder's choice. One batter later, Sierra Gasca raced home to score after an error by the Rangers' left fielder.
NWOSU (4-2, 1-1) responded to knot the score at two driving in a pair of runs on two hits and an error by the Blossoms in the fourth inning.
UAM threatened in the fifth with two runners on base but left them stranded.
The Blossoms were retired in order in the top of the sixth then the Rangers came up with the big hit of the game in the bottom half of the frame.
A three-run blast to center field gave NWOSU the lead. UAM managed to load the bases in the seventh, but left them loaded falling 5-2 in game one.
Freshman Maddie Chalenburg (L, 0-1) picked up the loss after dealing six innings allowing only two earned runs on seven hits.
Hannah Howell (W, 3-0) earned the win for the Rangers giving up one earned run on six hits in seven innings pitched.
GAME TWO: UAM 10 - NWOSU 5
UAM surrendered the first run of the contest in the bottom of the second inning, but turned right around scoring in the next five inning to go on top and stay on top.
Stamper put the Blossoms in the lead in the top of the third on her first home run of the season with a two-run bomb to left field driving home Haley Godeaux. Two hitters later Caroline Tedder roped a double to center then Sydney Webster followed with a walk. After Webster swiped second, Grace Neal drove home two more with a double down the left field line.
UAM tacked on another run in the fourth off the bat of Stamper again with an RBI-single. In the fifth, the Blossoms tallied two more on RBI-singles from Summer Perkins and Christa Lannon. Two runners crossed the plate again in the sixth for UAM as Bailey Camp and Neal each drove in a run to make it 8-1 Blossoms.
NWOSU cut into lead in the bottom half of the sixth plating three runs on three hits.
Godeaux capped the scoring for the Blossoms in the seventh on a bunt single to drive in the 10th run of the contest for UAM.
The Rangers scratched one more across in the bottom of the frame, but Alexis Pevehouse shut down any shot at a comeback picking up her third strikeout of the contest giving the Blossoms the 10-5 victory in game two.
Pevehouse (W, 1-0) scattered 10 hits across seven innings on the mounds to earn her first win of the season.
Hannah Scoggin (L, 1-1) took the loss surrendering four runs on four hits in 2.2 innings pitched.
UP NEXT
UAM looks to pick up the series win as the Blossoms and Rangers go to battle on the diamond for game three Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
