MONTICELLO, Ark. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team opened play at Alvy Early Softball Field in 2021 with a doubleheader sweep against Henderson State Saturday. The Blossoms got the bats rolling to pick up a 9-1 win in game one and 3-1 victory in game two.
GAME ONE: UAM 9 - HSU 1
It was a quiet first inning for both teams, but HSU (1-10, 0-5) managed to bring a run home in the top of the second on an RBI-double. That would be all the Reddies would get in the contest as UAM (3-3, 3-2 GAC) starter Maddie Chalenburg settled in on the mound.
The Blossom struck for their first run of the day on a double down the left field line by Grace Neal to bring home Haley Godeaux and even the score.
Both teams put runners on base in the third and fourth innings, but neither was able to push another run across the plate.
UAM opened up the scoring again in the bottom of the fifth bringing in five runs on three hits and one costly HSU error. Godeaux put the stamp on the big inning with a two-run blast to put the Blossoms up 6-1.
Chalenburg returned to the mound for a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth. In the bottom of the frame, Sierra Gasca and Bailey Camp each singled before Caroline Tedder brought the game to a close with a three-run home run giving UAM the 9-1 win in six innings.
Chalenburg (W, 1-1) earned the win for the Blossoms allowing just one run on four hits in six innings pitched.
Savannah Carrigan (L, 0-1) took the loss for HSU giving up five runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings pitched.
GAME TWO: UAM 3 - HSU 1
Chalenburg got the start again for UAM in the second game of the day picking up right where she left off leaving runners stranded in the first and second innings to keep HSU scoreless.
UAM got on the board in the bottom of the second on an RBI-groundout by Neal.
Jamie Franks took over on the bump for the Blossoms in the third inning. She ran into a bit of trouble in the frame but worked her way out of a bases loaded jam to maintain the 1-0 lead for UAM.
The Blossoms tacked on another run in the bottom half of the third as Tedder brought home Katelyn Stamper with a sacrifice bunt.
Neal picked up another RBI in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly to right field to put UAM up 3-1.
The Reddies tried to mount a rally with a pinch-hit solo home run in the seventh, but Franks bounced back on the mound with a strikeout and a line out to secure the 3-1 victory for UAM.
Franks (W, 1-2) claimed the win pitching four strong innings giving up one run on four hits while striking out three.
Brewer (L, 0-4) ended on the losing side for the Reddies surrendering three runs on six hits in six innings pitched.
UP NEXT
The Blossoms will go for the series sweep against the Reddies with game three scheduled to start at 11 a.m. Sunday.
