MONTICELLO, Ark. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team fell shy of a final-inning rally dropping game one of its series against Harding Friday. The Blossoms struggled to put runners on base until the seventh inning when two hitters reached to bring the tying run to the plate, but they were left stranded as UAM ultimately fell 3-0 at Alvy Early Softball Field.

With the loss UAM falls to 7-14 overall and 6-12 in Great American Conference Play while Harding improves to 17-6 on the season and 10-5 in league contests.

Maddie Chalenburg got the start on the bump for the Blossoms and worked around runners on base in the first and second innings to keep the Lady Bisons scoreless.

The third frame, however, Chalenburg retired two straight after a leadoff single before back-to-back hits plated runs for Harding.

The Lady Bisons loaded the bases in the fourth, but Chalenburg was able to limit the damage allowing just one run to cross the plate leaving UAM with a 3-0 deficit.

The struggles at the plate continued for the Blossoms as UAM was retired in order in the following three frames.

However, the Blossoms came to battle in the home half of the seventh. Katelynn Stamper led off the frame with a single through the left side before the next two hitters were retired. Grace Neal worked a two-out walk to bring the tying run to the plate, but Caroline Tedder popped up to the shortstop to end the game with the Blossoms falling 3-0.

Chalenburg (L, 2-5) pitched well in defeat allowing three runs on seven hits across 7.0 innings of work.

Lily Tanski (W, 12-3) earned the win on the other side dealing 7.0 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits.

UP NEXT

UAM wraps the series with Harding in a doubleheader Saturday at Alvy Early Softball Field. First pitch is scheduled for noon.