MEMPHIS, Tenn. – For the 10th time in the program’s 14-year history, the University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team has won at least 30 games in a season thanks to 5-3 and 6-0 wins over Christian Brothers on Saturday.
 
The Blossoms (30-7, 9-5 GSC) had to breakup a perfect game by CBU pitcher Nikki Dunn, who threw nine perfect frames,  before allowing UAM to plate five runs in the top half of the 10th inning. The Lady Buccaneers (14-20, 4-16 GSC) could only muster three runs in the bottom half of the 10th to give UAM the win.
 
Freshman Kayla Jackson (19-4) went the distance, allowing three runs off four hits, while striking out seven batters in 10 innings of work.
 
In UAM’s five-run 10th inning, freshman Katie Bowman started the rally with an RBI-sacrifice fly-out to center, scoring junior Bethany Falcon, who was placed on second base due to the international tie-breaker rule. Also on the play, senior Lindsey Randall moved to third and scored on a throwing error by the CBU catcher.
 
Later in the inning, the Blossoms used back-to-back run-producing singles to score the remaining three runs. Senior Amy Mardis started with a two-RBI single to center, followed by freshman Meagan Wilson’s RBI single to center.
 
In the second game, UAM took advantage of three CBU errors in the top of the fourth inning to plate all six of its runs. Only two RBI were recorded in the inning, started with a fielder’s choice by Mardis to score junior Emilie Hobbs, who reached on bunt single to lead off the inning. Later in the frame, Bowman recorded her fifth run-producing at bat of the weekend with a single to center to score Randall, who reached on an error.
 
Freshman Randa Perry (6-3) earned the win after pitching a two-hit shutout, only walking one and recording three strikeouts in seven innings of work. CBU’s Kristin Walters (0-2) was saddled with the loss after allowing all six runs off four hits in her four innings of work.
 
The Blossoms continue GSC play with a four-game home stand with Delta State, starting with a 1 p.m. double-header on Tuesday, April 14 at Blossoms Field. Less than one hundredth of a point separates the two squads for first place in the division.