MONTICELLO, ARK. - The Blossom softball team hosted the Choctaws of Mississippi College for their 2026 home opener at Alvy Early Softball Field at Ryburn Park on Tuesday Night. The Blossoms came out of the doubleheader against the Choctaws with two losses, 5-3 and 3-7.

Game 1, 7 Innings 
Arkansas-Monticello: 3, Mississippi College: 5
WP: C. Bailey (6-3)
LP: Jadyn Barger (2-2)
SV: None

Scoring Recap:
The Choctaws found the first two runs of the game in the top of the first off a single up the middle. Two innings later, a third run scored on a double to center field. 

The Blossoms saw themselves on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the third with three runs. An MC error brought Lainey Tippen across the plate.

Maddie Moore sent a two-run long shot over the left field wall to score herself and Tippen in the fifth as the last two runs for the Blossoms

Mississippi College closed out the scoring with a single to center field that plated two in the seventh, taking game one 5-3.

Pitching Performances
- Kayla Olthouse started in the circle for the Blossoms, pitching 3.0 innings, allowing three runs on two hits while striking out two batters.
- Jayden Barger received the call to enter the circle in the sixth. She allowed two runs on four hits in her 3.2 innings of work. 
- Ronnie Johnson was brought in to close the last 0.1 innings of the game; she faced just one batter.

Offensive Showcase
- Maddie Moore - 2-for-4 with a home run, 3 RBI, 2 stolen bases, and 1 run scored.
- Lainey Tippen - 1-for-1 with 2 runs scored, 1 walk, and 1 stolen base.
- Lexi Livezey - 1-for-3 with a triple.
 

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Game 2, 7 Innings
Arkansas-Monticello: 3, Mississippi College: 7
WP: R. Rios (1-2)
LP:  Ronnie Johnson (0-1)
SV: None

Scoring Recap:
Mississippi College kicked off the scoring in the first with a solo home run from the lead-off batter. They plated four more runs between the second and fourth innings. A UAM error and a sacrifice fly in the second made it a 3-0 ball game. A two-run homer in the fourth extended the Choctaw lead to 5-0 over the Blossoms.

The Blossoms found their first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth as Ashlynne Vote crossed home as Lexi Livezey sent a ball down the right field line.

Makenzie Martin added the second run for the Blossoms as she singled to the Choctaws catcher, plating Lainey Tippen in the process.

The Choctaws added two more runs to the board, one in the sixth off a single, and the final run in the seventh off a double.

Zoe Bridges homered over the left field wall to add UAM's final run to the board. Mississippi College took game two, 7-3.

Pitching Performances
- Ronnie Johnson started in the circle for the Blossoms, allowing two runs on two hits, striking out three batters in her 3.0 innings of work.
- Kyleigh Benton entered the game for UAM and allowed three runs on three hits, striking out four batters in her 3.0 innings.
- Makenzie Martin closed out the night for Arkansas-Monticello, pitching 1.0 innings, allowing just one run on one hit.

Offensive Showcase
- Zoe Bridges - 1 for 1 with a home run and 1 RBI.

ON DECK FOR THE BLOSSOMS
The Blossoms are set to travel to Arkadelphia for a three-game GAC series against the Reddies of Henderson State University. The first pitch of game one is set for Friday, February 27, at 2 p.m.

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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