MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team will open its 2025 season with two sets of doubleheaders scheduled for Friday, January 31, and Saturday, February 2 at the Branson Lead-Off Classic in Branson, Missouri. The Cotton Blossoms will take on Missouri Southern and Upper Iowa University on January 31, and Truman State University and Newman University on February 1 on Tanger Field at the Branson RecPlex.

After a 9-4 upset against the Savage Storm of Southeastern Oklahoma State University in the Great American Conference Championship Tournament to end the 2024 season, the Blossoms are ready to build back better as they commence spring training to prepare for the Lead-Off Classic and the 2025 season.

PRESEASON NOTES
Opening off the 2025 campaign ranked 7th in the GAC Preseason Conference Poll, the Cotton Blossoms are ready to showcase the new talent on the roster, which includes 14 newly signed players, 11 returnees, and a brand new Assistant Coach. Among the new signers for the ladies in green are four junior college transfers, one walk-on, and nine true freshmen.

Joining alongside 7th year Head Coach Kyle Lem is the newest member of the Blossom family Skylar Padgett who was hired by Head Coach Lem in August of 2024.

"Looking forward to putting on the uniform and competing with another team," said Head Coach Kyle Lem. "We have had a tough fall and early spring camp and are just ready to put the product on the field and see where we can improve one day at a time. We face some very talented, well-coached teams in the Branson Lead-Off Classic. We will have to be physically and mentally ready to compete to be successful up there."

Fans will have another opportunity to experience a first for the Cotton Blossoms on Friday, Feb. 21, when they play their first home night game held at Alvy Early Softball Field ar Ryburn Park in the program's history. 

Below you will find important information regarding live coverage, tickets, game matchups, and social media links to keep up with the game.

2025 BRANSON LEAD-OFF CLASSIC
Game 1: Arkansas-Monticello vs. Missouri Southern
Friday, Jan. 31 | 10:00 a.m. | Branson, MO (Branson RecPlex | Tanger Field)
Lions Roster | Series History

Game 2: Arkansas-Monticello vs. Upper Iowa University
Friday, Jan. 31 | 12:00 p.m. | Branson, MO (Branson RecPlex | Tanger Field)
Peacocks Roster | Series History

Game 3: Arkansas-Monticello vs. Truman State University
Saturday, Feb. 1 | 10:00 a.m. | Branson, MO (Branson RecPlex | Fritz's Field)
Bulldog Roster | Series History

Game 4: Arkansas-Monticello vs. Newman University
Saturday, Feb. 1 | 12:00 p.m. | Branson, MO (Branson RecPlex | Fritz's Field)
Jets Roster | Series History

2025 Arkansas-Monticello Cotton Blossoms Roster | GAC Softball

Social Media | X Accounts: @UAMsports & @UAM_Softball |  All scoring information and in-game updates.

LAST MEETING | ALL-TIME SERIES
Missouri Southern University - The Blossoms fell to the Lions, 9-0, on the opening day of the 2024 season at the McGhee/Hawkins Invitational on Friday, February 2, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Missouri Southern started the game with two runs scored in the first, followed by another in the fourth to take a 3-0 lead. An explosive sixth run for the Lions led to six runs and a 9-0 lead over UAM. The Blossoms were unable to respond in the bottom half of the inning. The game would conclude with a 9-0 Blossom loss and a 0-2 start to the weekend. Mallory Pitre started game two, tossing 5.0 innings with three earned runs allowed on three hits, strikeouts, two walks, and two strikeouts. Jadyn Hart saw four batters with four runs allowed on four hits. Kayla Olthouse tossed a final inning, allowing only one with a walk. Adrianna Erichsen went 2-for-3 offensively with two singles. | The Cotton Blossoms are currently 11-6 all-time against the Lions, with all but one match taking place at neutral sites. At home, the Blossoms are 1-0, at neutral games, they are, 10-6. The first meeting occurred on February 22, 2002, with a 4-0 victory for UAM. Through 17 games played the Blossoms have 107 runs on the Lions, averaging 6.29 runs per game. 

Upper Iowa University - The Blossoms won the last meeting in February of 2017 with an explosive, 5-inning, 8-0 win over the Peacocks. The Blossoms started the match-up with a bang as Kendra Coleman and Kaylee Freeman each recorded home runs in the first and second innings to give UAM a 3-0 lead. Arkansas-Monticello continued its scoring in the bottom of the fourth as Jordan Herbner, McKenzie Rice, and Maranda Clendenin each registered RBI hits to power UAM out to an 8-0 lead over Upper Iowa and ultimately took the game in five innings. | UAM is currently 3-0 all-time against UIU, winning all three games in neutral games in Bentonville, Arkansas, 10-5, 5-1, and 88- 0 Through the three games played, UAM has scored 23 runs, averaging 7.67 runs per game.

Truman State University - This will be the second overall meeting between the two teams. In the only meeting between the Bulldogs in the Blossoms on February 12 in Bentonville, AR, Truman State proved victorious, 11-2. 

Newman University - The Cotton Blossoms dropped their last meeting with the Jets on February 10, 2024, in Bentonville, AR, 5-6. | UAM currently holds a 2-1 lead over the Jets in the record. At home, they are 1-0, and at neutral locations, they are 1-1. Two of the three matches have ended in a 5-0 victory for the Blossoms. Through the three games played, the Blossoms have scored 15 runs over Newman. 

GAME RECAPS
After the conclusion of each game, Blossom Softball will have a release posted to uamsports.com, X and Facebook, which will give a recap of the game. They can be found on the schedule page as a clickable link after the end of each game, or on UAM Sports social media accounts.

*Players in bold indicate returners from 2024 Season

How to follow the Cotton Blossoms: For more information on Arkansas-Monticello Women's Baseball, visit www.uamsports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X, and Instagram.

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