Blossoms Drop Season-Opening Double-Header to Tampa - Both by One Run
February 8, 2008

SAINT LEO, Fla. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello Cotton Blossom softball team dropped two one-run games to Tampa on Thursday, with final scores of 6-5 in the season opener, and 1-0 in the nightcap.
 
GAME ONE (L 6-7)
Entering his 12th season as head coach of the Blossoms, Alvy Early had to like what he saw early.
 
Senior and pre-season All-GSC selection Meredith Heckel (Hot Springs, Ark.) blasted a lead-off homerun in the top of the first to start the season. Heckel finished the game 1-for-3 at the plate.
 
Recording the loss for the Blossoms was junior Becca Sustaire (Hallsville, Texas). Sustaire (0-1) pitched the last two innings of the game, giving up what was the winning run in the bottom of the sixth. That run was un-earned due to a throwing error.
 
UAM struck again, scoring three runs in the top of the third inning started by an RBI single from the bat of junior Lindsey Randall (Keithville, La.) that scored senior Lauren Brooks (West Monroe, La.), who led off the inning with a single.
 
With the bases loaded, Heckel scored on a passed ball that put runners on second and third for senior Kate Brady (Longview, Texas), who hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored sophomore Becca Tipton (Dermott, Ark.), who reached on a single, and was moved around the bases on a passed ball.
 
The Blossoms reached the scoreboard a final time in the top of the fourth inning when sophomore Kayla Temple (West Monroe, La.) hit an RBI single that scored senior Gemma Gibson (Dodd City, Texas), who led the inning off with a double.
 
The Blossoms were out-hit 10-6. Heckel, Tipton, Randall, Gibson, Brooks, and Temple were the only Blossoms to record a hit, each only getting a hit once in the game.
 
GAME TWO (L 0-1)
Neither team had scored going into the bottom of the seventh inning when Tampa executed on fundamentals.
 
After a strikeout to lead off the inning, Tampa’s Brandi Blout singled then was moved into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt from Katie Davis, which was followed by a game-winning RBI single from Michelle Horan.
 
UAM’s starting pitcher Allison North (Marion, La.) only allowed one run after pitching 6.2 innings, giving up only three hits, while striking out five Tampa Batters.
 
The top two spots in the UAM lineup were the only ones to make noise. Both Heckel and Randall recorded two hits. Heckel was a perfect 2-for-2, while Randall went 2-for-3 at the plate.
 
ON DECK
The Blossoms stay in Saint Leo with hopes of recording their first win with a double-header against Florida Southern this afternoon (Feb. 8). First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.