TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team traveled to Tahlequah, Oklahoma the past weekend for the D2 Cherokee Nation Softball Festival, hosted by the city of Tahlequah.
The Blossoms split both set of twin bills, beating the Riverhawks, 7-6 in 9 innings, followed by a 7-2 loss to the No.7 Bronchos on day one. Day two saw the ladies in green and white fall to the No.17 Lions 12-3, followed by a 6-5 win over the Tigers.
Game 1, 9 Innings
Northeastern State: 6, Arkansas-Monticello: 7
WP:
Makenzie Martin (2-1)
LP: J. Elder
SV: None
Scoring Recap:
The Blossoms struck first in the bottom of the first with two runs as
Cada Collins drove one out of the park plating
Ashlynne Vote.
The Riverhawks took the lead in the top of the fourth off a double to right field that drove in two, followed by a single to center field that plated one, making the game 3-2.
Arkansas-Monticello plated four more runs between the fifth and sixth inning.
Maddie Moore and
Dacia Sexton rounded home off a single to center field by
Makenzie Martin in the fifth. A wild pitch in the sixth would send
Emmy Apodaca in, and a single from
Cada Collins allowed
Lainey Tippen to cross, helping UAM retake the lead 6-3.
Northeastern tied the game six all in the seventh with a double that plated three sending the game to extra innings.
After a scoreless eighth, an error from the Riverhawks allowed
Carleigh Deeds to reach home. The Blossoms held Northeastern to a blank in the bottom of the inning to secure the 7-6 victory.
Pitching Performances
- Jaydn Barger started in the circle for the Blossoms pitching 3.1 innings. In her time in the circle she allowed three runs on two hits, striking out two batters in her 14 faced.
-
Kayla Olthouse was summoned for the next 3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits, striking out three batters in her 18 faced.
-
Makenzie Martin secured the win for UAM, striking out 1 batter while facing eight batters in her 2.2 innings in the circle.
Offensive Showcase
-
Cada Collins - 2 for 2 with a home run, two walks, 3RBIs and one run scored.
-
Makenzie Martin - 1 for 2 with 2RBIs.
Game 2, 7 Innings
Central Oklahoma: 7, Arkansas-Monticello: 2
WP: C. Kinnaird (6-0)
LP:
Makenzie Martin (3-1)
SV: None
Scoring Recap:
The Bronchos wasted no time putting their first run on the board, three batters into the ball game.
The Blossoms responded with the equalizer as
Maddie Moore reached home on a fielders choice in the bottom half of the inning.
Heading into the top of the second UCO recorded their second run off a double.
UAM placed their second and final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth as a bases-loaded walk brought in
Lainey Tippen.
The Bronchos placed five more runs in the top of the seventh to seal the game 7-2.
Pitching Performances
-
Kyleigh Benton started in the circle for the Blossoms allowing two runs on three hits in her nine batters faced
-
Makenzie Martin suffered the setback in the circle allowing five runs on nine hits, with three strikeouts in her 24 batters faced, in her 5.1 innings.
-
Jadyn Barger was called to pitch the remaining 0.2 innings and faced two batters
Offensive Showcase
-
Lainey Tippen - 1 for 1 with a run scored and a walk.
-
Maddie Moore - 1 for 3 with a run scored and a walk
Game 3, 5 Innings
Arkansas-Monticello: 3, Missouri Southern: 12
WP: E. Davis (5-0)
LP:
Kyleigh Benton (1-2)
SV: None
Scoring Recap:
Missouri Southern was first on the board in the game adding seven runs across the first and second innings. A homerun, two singles and a double in the first allowed the Lions to plate six, followed by a single in the second making it a 7-0 game.
Lainey Tippen stole home in the third to add the first run of the game for the Blossoms
The Lions put the game out of reach in the fourth scoring four runs off two singles and a double. A UAM error allowed the 11th run for Missouri Southern to cross home.
The final two runs of the game came from the Blossoms as an error from the Lions plated
Carleigh Deeds, and a sacrifice bunt from
Jolie Bazan scored Tippen, ending the game 3-12 in favor of Missouri Southern.
Pitching Performances
-
Kyleigh Benton suffered the setback in the circle pitching all 5 innings, allowing 12 runs on 12 hits, while striking out 1 in her 28 batters faced.
Offensive Showcase
-
Maddie Moore - 1 for 2 with a stolen base.
Game 4, 7 Innings
Arkansas-Monticello: 6, Fort Hays: 5
WP:
Makenzie Martin (3-1)
LP: M. Hudson (0-1)
SV: None
Scoring Recap:
An error from the Tigers put the first run of the game on the board in favor of the Blossoms as
Jade Keaton crossed home plate, in the second inning.
Fort Hays took control of the game adding four runs across three innings to make it a 5-1 ballgame.
The Blossoms placed four runs in the sixth. A bases loaded walk advanced
Jade Keaton, and a
Dacia Sexton double to left center brought home, Tippen,
Ashlynne Vote and
Jolie Bazan.
The Tigers placed their final run of the game in the sixth off a sacrifice fly to right field.
Arkansas-Monticello plated the winning run of the game in the seventh off a Fort Hays wild pitch that scored
Jade Keaton.
Pitching Performances
-
Kayla Olthouse started in the circle for the Blossoms allowing four runs on six hits, striking out one batter, in her 21 faced in her 4.0 innings of work.
-
Makenzie Martin secured the win for UAM allowing one run on five hits, striking out one batter in her 14 faced in her 3.0 innings of work.
Offensive Showcase
-
Dacia Sexton - 1 for 3 with a double and 3RBIs.
-
Jolie Bazan - 2 for 4 with one run scored.
-
Jade Keaton - 2 for 4 with three runs scored.
UP NEXT
Arkansas-Monticello is set to open Great American Conference play in Shawnee, Oklahoma on Friday, February 20 at 6:00 p.m. against the Bison of Oklahoma Baptist.
All live streams and live stats will be available as clickable links on the
UAM Softball schedule.
How to follow the Blossoms: For more information on Arkansas-Monticello Blossoms softball, visit
www.uamsports.com and follow the team's social media channels by searching "UAM Softball" on Twitter and Instagram.
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