MONTICELLO, Ark. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team swept its twin bill against Oklahoma Baptist Friday. The Blossoms held off the Bison for a tight 5-4 win in game one before rolling to victory in game two 9-1 at Alvy Early Softball Field.

UAM improves to 11-22 overall on the season and 10-19 in Great American Conference play while OBU falls to 19-17 and 14-15.

GAME ONE: UAM 5, OBU 4

The Blossoms jumped out to the early lead capitalizing on three hits and two OBU errors to plate three runs in the bottom of the first. Grace Neal drove home the first run of the contest sending an RBI-single back through the middle to score Katelynn Stamper. The first error of the frame allowed Haley Godeaux to reach before she swiped second base to put runners on second and third. Caroline Tedder delivered with a two-run single into center field to put UAM up 3-0.

In the next inning, OBU responded against UAM starter Jamie Franks scoring one run on one hit, but Franks limited any more damage by leaving the bases loaded to end the frame.

After working a 1-2-3 third inning Franks ran into trouble again in fourth after the first two hitters reached base. The Bison ultimately pushed two run across in the frame to knot the score 3-3.

It did not stay tied for long as UAM bounced right back in the home half of the fourth. Summer Perkins put the Blossoms back on top reaching on a fielder's choice and driving home Godeaux. Three batters later Madison Gardiner delivered a two-out pinch hit RBI-single back up the middle to score Perkins.

Franks worked around scoring threats by the Bison in the fifth and sixth innings by leaving two runners stranded in each frame to maintain the 5-3 lead.

In one last push by OBU the Bison scored one run in top of the seventh, but Franks closed the door leaving the tying run standing at third base. The Blossoms ultimately picked up the win in game one 5-4.

Franks (W, 6-6) earned the win going the distance allowing four runs, three earned, on nine hits while striking out five.

Aspen Younce (L, 7-10) ended with the loss giving up five runs on eight hits in 6.0 innings pitched.

GAME TWO: UAM 9, OBU 1

In the second game of the twin bill, Alexis Pevehouse got the start in the circle for UAM. She worked around a leadoff single to open the contest for a scoreless frame in the first. The Melissa, Texas, product managed another scoreless inning in the second by stranding the bases loaded.

The Blossoms were first on the scoreboard again as Perkins drove in Godeaux in the home half of the second with an RBI-infield single.

UAM broke the game open in the fourth scoring six runs in the inning. Stamper picked up an RBI reaching on a fielder's choice that scored Sierra Gasca from third. Two hitters later Neal roped a two-run double down the left field line that plated Hannah Holdbrook and Stamper. After Godeaux was hit by a pitch to load the bases Bailey Camp singled and a fielding error by the left fielder allowed two runners to score. Perkins capped the big inning in the next at bat with a sacrifice fly to center putting the Blossoms up 7-0.

After dealing five scoreless frames Pevehouse allowed the first run of the contest to the Bison in the top of the sixth. She limited OBU to only one run in the frame by again leaving the bases loaded to end the inning.

In the home half of the sixth UAM took advantage of another costly error by the Bison. Neal and Godeaux led off the inning with a walk and a single. Sydney Webster came in to pinch run for Godeaux and promptly stole second which forced an errant throw by the catcher that ended up in left field after trying to throw behind the runner at third which allowed Neal to score and Webster to reach third. Bailey Camp then ended the game with an RBI-single through the left side to deliver UAM the 9-1 victory.

Pevehouse (W, 2-4) picked up the win dealing 6.0 innings and allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out four.

Shianne Eddings (L, 0-1) took the loss surrendering six runs on six hits in 3.1 innings in the circle.

UP NEXT

The Blossoms will go for the series sweep over Oklahoma Baptist Saturday at Alvy Early Softball Field. First pitch is scheduled for noon.