MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team will commence its 2026 campaign Sunday, February 1, and Monday, February 2, at the 2026 Branson Lead-Off Classic in Branson, Missouri. The Blossoms will see two doubleheaders at the Branson RecPlex to start the season, taking on the Peacocks of Upper Iowa University and the Golden Eagles of the University of Minnesota Crookston on Sunday, the 1st, followed by the Minors of Missouri S&T and the Bronchos of the University of Central Oklahoma on Monday, the 2nd.

After closing out the 2025 season with a 0-3 series loss to the Crimson Storm of Southern Nazarene University, the Blossoms return to the Branson Lead-Off Classic and kick off the 2026 campaign with a nearly all returning squad, and have been working hard and building the energy in the offseason as they look ahead to the new season.

PRESEASON NOTES
Opening the 2026 campaign ranked 9th in the GAC Preseason Conference Poll, the Cotton Blossoms are ready to showcase their talented roster, which includes six newly signed players and 18 returners. Among the new signers for the ladies in green are two junior college transfers and four true freshmen.

Joining alongside 8th-year Head Coach Kyle Lem is Assistant Coach Skylar Padgett, returning for her second season.

"Just excited about the start of the season and looking forward to trying to go 1-0 every day," said Head Coach Kyle Lem. "The girls have been working hard and preparing, and we are excited to let them loose to do things they love."

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

2026 BRANSON LEAD-OFF CLASSIC
Game 1: Arkansas-Monticello vs. Upper Iowa University
Sunday, Feb. 1 | 12:30 p.m. | Branson, MO (Branson RecPlex)
Peacocks Roster | Series History

Game 2: Arkansas-Monticello vs. University of Minnesota Crookston
Sunday, Feb. 1 | 2:30 p.m. | Branson, MO (Branson RecPlex)
Golden Eagles Roster

Game 3: Arkansas-Monticello vs. Missouri S&T
Monday, Feb. 2 | 11:00 a.m. | Branson, MO (Branson RecPlex)
Miners Roster | Series History

Game 4: Arkansas-Monticello vs. University of Central Oklahoma
Monday, Feb. 2 | 1:00 p.m. | Branson, MO (Branson RecPlex)
Bronchos Roster

2026 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
Upper Iowa University - This will be the second straight season that the Blossoms have taken on the Peacocks in the opening day of the season. Last season, the Blossoms took their meeting with the Peacocks in Branson, 2-1. Upper Iowa scored first in game two, putting up their only run in the bottom of the first. Makenzie Martin drove in Kammie Walker and Lainey Tippen on a single to center in the top of the sixth, leading to a 2-1 win for UAM. The split on the day pushes Arkansas-Monticello to a 1-1 start to the 2025 season. Ronnie Johnson was the winning pitcher of the game, with Jadyn Barger, both recording the first win and save of the season. | UAM is currently 4-0 all-time against UIU, winning all four games in neutral games in Bentonville, Arkansas, 10-5, 5-1, and 8-0, and Branson, Missouri, 2-1. In the four games played, UAM has scored 25 runs, averaging 6.25 per game. 

University of Minnesota Crookston- This will be the first meeting between the Cotton Blossoms and the Golden Eagles in program history.

Missouri S&T - Monday's meeting will be the ninth all-time meeting these two team, with UAM holding a 5-3 advantage over the Miners. In the last meeting in 2024 in Hot Springs, the Blossoms came out with a 9-1 victory. | The Blossoms are 4-1 at neutral locations, and are 1-2 in Monticello. Through the eight games played, the Blossoms have scored 40 runs over the Miners, averaging 5 runs per game. 

University of Central Oklahoma - This will be the first meeting between the Cotton Blossoms and the Bronchos in program history.

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 2025 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.

#BlossomNation | #BuildYourHouse