SOUTHAVEN, Miss. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team left eight runners on base in a 3-1 loss to West Florida in the opening round of the 2009 Gulf South Conference Championship Tournament.

 

The loss creates a loser’s bracket match-up with the No. 4 seed Ouachita Baptist at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2.

 

West Florida’s Shannon Miles delivered the big hit of the game, a two-RBI double of the left center field fence in the top of the first inning with the bases loaded and no outs.

 

From that point, UAM (0-1 postseason) starting pitcher Kayla Jackson found a groove, retiring the next 14 batters before allowing a walk to Amber Ingram in the top of the fifth.

 

UWF (1-0 postseason) plated its final run of the game in the top of the sixth when Miles scored on a wild pitch after singling through the right side of the infield earlier in the inning.

 

The Blossoms responded in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single by freshman Randa Perry, scoring junior Emilie Hobbs from second base. Hobbs reached on error earlier in the inning and stole second.

 

Hobbs also recorded a unique bunt-double in the bottom of the second inning, legging out the two-bagger after the bunt went through the right-side gap of the infield.

 

Jackson (0-1 postseason) took the loss after tossing a complete-game seven innings, allowing three runs off three hits with a pair of walks and six strikeouts.

 

UWF’s Emily Burge (1-0 postseason) had a dominant game in the circle, tossing a complete-game seven innings, allowing one run off five hits with two walks and nine strikeouts.

 

UAM’s loser’s bracket opponent, Ouachita Baptist, lost 2-1 to Valdosta State in its opening round game. The Tigers and Blossoms played four games in the 2009 regular season, ending with a pair of wins for each squad.

 

The game can be heard live on the radio at radio station KHBM-FM, 93.7 in Monticello. That broadcast can also be heard at uamsports.com. The pre-game show begins approximately at 9:20 a.m.