BRANSON, Mo. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team traveled to Branson, Missouri to kick off their 2026 season at the Branson Lead-Off Classic. Sunday afternoon the Blossoms took on the Peacocks of Upper Iowa University and the Golden Eagles of the University of Minnesota Crookston. On Monday, the Blossoms took on the Miners of Missouri S&T and the Bronchos of the University of Central Oklahoma.

The ladies in green and white swept their opening day, beating the Peacocks 9-1, followed by a 4-1 win over the Golden Eagles. UAM split the final day, finishing game three against the Miners with a 10-9 loss, followed by a 7-4 win over the Bronchos of the University of Central Oklahoma.

Game 1, 5 Innings 
Arkansas-Monticello: 9, Upper Iowa University: 1 
WP: Kyleigh Benton (1-0)
LP: Sara Reid (0-1)
SV: None

Scoring Recap:
Upper Iowa was the first team on the board, putting up their only run in the top of the first.

Arkansas-Monticello responded, scoring three runs in the first. Jolie Bazan scored the first run of the season, capitalizing on the Peacock's error. Cada Collins plated the second run on an RBI double from Makenzie Martin. Aubree Goodnight drove in Ashlynne Vote on an infield single to put UAM up 3-1.

The Blossoms entered three more runs in the second as Dacia Sexton singled through center field to score Lainey Tippen, followed by Sexton scoring off Collins's infield single. Bazan advanced home off a single from Martin, making it a 6-1 game.

Another run for Arkansas-Monticello came in the third as Tippen was plated by an RBI double to right field from Emmy Apodaca.

The Blossoms etched the final two runs in the fifth, with Sexton reaching home off a shot to the left side from Bazan. Vyanna Quezada singled to right field, driving in Bazan to end the game 9-1 for UAM's first win of the 2026 season.

Pitching Performances
- Kyleigh Benton pitched all 5.0 innings, striking out six of the 23 batters she faced while allowing only four hits.

Offensive Showcase
- Cada Collins - 2-for-3 with a double, one RBI, and one run scored
- Makenzie Martin - 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI
- Emmy Apodaca - 1-for-3 with a double and one RBI
 

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Game 2, 7 Innings
Arkansas-Monticello: 4, Minnesota Crookston: 1
WP: Jadyn Barger (1-0)
LP: Megan Surgenor (0-1)
SV: Makenzie Martin (1)

Scoring Recap:
Jolie Bazan kicked things off for Arkansas-Monticello as she singled to score Dacia Sexton in the top of the first.

The Blossoms entered two more runs in the fifth as Sexton doubled to drive in Lainey Tippen, followed by Ayrland Jiles advancing home off a single from Bazan to put UAM up 3-0.

Minnesota Crookston plated their only run in the bottom of the fifth off a walk.

UAM sealed the game, 4-1, with a single from Aubry O'Bryant, bringing home Ronnie Johnson in the sixth.

Pitching Performances
- Jadyn Barger pitched the first 4.1 innings for the Blossoms, allowing one run on two hits and striking out three, earning her the win.
- Makenzie Martin faced 10 batters, striking out three and allowing one hit in her 2.2 innings of work, earning her the save.

Offensive Showcase
- Dacia Sexton - 2-for-4 with a double, one RBI, and one run scored
- Lainey Tippen - 1-for-3 with a double and one run scored
 

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Game 3, 8 Innings
Arkansas-Monticello: 9, Missouri S&T: 10 
WP: A. Agers (1-0)
LP. Kyleigh Benton (1-1)
SV: None

Scoring Recap:
Cada Collins and Dacia Sexton scored in the first thanks to a center field double from Ashlynne Vote to put the Blossoms up early.

Missouri S&T responded in the bottom of the first, scoring two runs off a double to left field and an infield single to bring the game to 3-2.

Ronnie Johnson drove in three runs with her first home run of the year in the third, pushing the Blossoms ahead 6-2.

Arkansas-Monticello added two more runs in the next inning, starting with Sexton scoring off a ground out by Collins, followed by a sacrifice fly from Makenzie Martin to score Jolie Bazan.

The Miners tacked on a third run in the fourth off a single to left field.

A three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth helped Missouri S&T put themselves within two, 8-6.

Bazan plated the Blossom's final run in the sixth off a double to right field from Collins.

Missouri S&T answered right back in the bottom of the sixth, tying the ball game, 9-9, by advancing on a bases-loaded hit by pitch and walk and sacrifice fly to center field. 

The Miners would score their final run off a sacrifice fly to left field, winning the game in eight innings, 10-9.

Pitching Performances
- Kyleigh Benton tossed 5.0 innings, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out two batters.
- Makenzie Martin threw the final 2.2 innings, allowing six runs on five hits with four strikeouts. 

Offensive Showcase
- Ronnie Johnson - 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI
- Dacia Sexton - 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored
- Jolie Bazan - 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored
- Cada Collins - 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored
- Ashlynne Vote - 1-for-2 with a double, two RBI, and two runs scored
- Aubree Goodnight - 3-for-4 with a double, one RBI, and one run scored
 

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Game 4, 7 Innings
Arkansas-Monticello: 7, Central Oklahoma: 4
WP: Jadyn Barger (2-0)
LP: Madison Hamilton (0-1)
SV: None

Scoring Recap:
Arkansas-Monticello was on the board first, scoring one run off a single from Ronnie Johnson in the second.

Central Oklahoma responded with two runs of their own in the third off a double to left center and a single up the middle.

The Blossoms pulled ahead by one, 3-2, as Ashlynne Vote plated Makenzie Martin and Cada Collins off a double in the third, followed by a sacrifice fly from Carleigh Deeds to bring home Vote.

Martin drove in Dacia Sexton on a single in the fourth, followed by Ayrland Jiles scoring on a passed ball to put UAM up 6-2.

The Blossoms etched another run in the fifth as Jade Keaton scored off a bases-loaded walk.

The Bronchos would score the remaining two runs of the ball game in the sixth, as the two runs would be brought in off a home run to center field.

The game would conclude with a 7-4 win for the Blossoms and a 3-1 start to the 2026 season. 

Pitching Performances
- Jadyn Barger tossed a complete game against the Bronchos, totaling 7.0 innings with four strikeouts.

Offensive Showcase
- Ashlynne Vote - 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI, and one run scored

UP NEXT
Arkansas-Monticello is set to head to Bentonville, Arkansas for the annual Alvy Early Memorial Classic at Bentonville on Friday, February 6. They will play a doubleheader on the Friday, against Truman State and Southwest Baptist University at 11 and 1:30 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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