MONTICELLO, Ark. — The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team split a Gulf South Conference double header with Delta State by winning the first game 2-1 and dropping the second game 4-2.
 
UAM 2, DSU 1
The Blossoms scored one run in each of the fourth and fifth innings to build a lead just large enough to secure their fifth GSC win of the season.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, junior Lindsay Randall (Keithville, La.) opened the scoring in the game by smashing an RBI-double to left center field that plated senior Gemma Gibson (Dodd City, Texas), who was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning.
 
Then in the bottom of the fifth, Gibson hit an RBI-single through the right side of the infield that scored sophomore Kayla Temple (West Monroe, La.), who hit an infield single to lead off the inning.
 
After allowing just one DSU run in the top of the seventh inning, junior starting pitcher Becca Sustaire (Hallsville, Texas) secured her fifth complete game win of the season after striking out DSU’s Erica Harris to end the game.
 
Sustaire (6-9) pitched the full seven innings, only allowing one run (not earned) off five hits and striking out six of the 27 batters she faced.
 
DSU 4, UAM 2
A pair of two-run innings from Delta State prevented the Blossoms from completing a two-game sweep.
 
The Blossoms struck first, scoring their only runs from a two-RBI line drive homerun to right-center from senior Meredith Heckel (Hot Springs, Ark.) that also scored senior Lauren Brooks (West Monroe, La.). The shot was Heckel’s 10th blast of the season.
 
A two-run homerun from DSU’s Brittany Tillery in the top of the fifth inning tied the game at 2-all. Then in the top of the sixth, the Lady Statesmen scored their third run of the game with a squeeze bunt from Amber Hass. Two batters later, DSU’s Brittany Eikner closed the game scoring with an RBI-single into right field, giving DSU their final 4-2 lead.
 
Senior Kate Brady (Longview, Texas) recorded her sixth loss of the season after pitching the full seven innings, allowing four runs (one earned) off seven hits. Brady only walked one of the 32 batters she faced.
 
ON DECK
With the split, the Blossoms move to 12-18 overall and 5-3 in the GSC, while DSU moves to 23-16 overall and 9-5 in the GSC. UAM next hosts Henderson State for a GSC double header on Tuesday, Apr. 1 starting at 1 p.m. at Blossom Field.