MONTICELLO – The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team suffered a pair of losses to Delta State by final scores of 1-0 and 7-5 in Gulf South Conference action.
 
With the losses, UAM drops to 32-9 overall and 11-7 in the GSC and remains atop the standings in the West Division over Arkansas Tech, which sits at 12-8. DSU improves to 25-17 overall and 13-9 in the GSC.
 
In the first game, DSU used a strong outing from starting pitcher Edie Oliver (17-8), who went the distance and only gave up five hits and struck out three batters.
 
Offensively, the Lady Statesmen scored the game’s only run with an RBI-single by Brittany Tillery in the top half of the fifth inning.
 
Freshman Kayla Jackson (20-5) was charged with the loss after allowing one run off five hits with four strikeouts in her seven inning effort.
 
In the second game, UAM jumped out to a 5-0 lead through four innings with three runs coming in the first inning and two coming in the fourth.
 
DSU took over from there, scoring four runs in the fifth inning, followed by three runs in the top of the seventh to take the lead.
 
Senior Lindsey Randall led the Blossoms offensively, going 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored. Junior Becca Tipton and Jackson also had two hits each in the loss.
 
Freshman Randa Perry (7-4) took the loss after allowing all seven runs off 10 hits in her six and two thirds innings of work.
 
DSU’s Oliver earned the win in unusual fashion after starting the contest, allowing five runs through the first three and two thirds innings, before being relieved by Kate Moreland, who threw two and one third scoreless innings. Oliver re-entered the game after her team gained the lead and shut down the Blossoms in the bottom of the seventh. Overall, she threw four and two thirds innings, allowed five runs off nine hits.
 
The Blossoms continue GSC play at home with a four-game series with Henderson State this weekend, starting with a 1 p.m. double-header on Saturday, April 18 at Blossoms Field.