MonticelloLive

The Valdosta State Lady Blazers scored three runs in the top of the fourth inning that ultimately led to a season-ending loss for the University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team with a final score of 3-0.

The game was the last collegiate contest for six UAM seniors. Kate Brady, Lauren Brooks, K.K. Calloway, Jenny Dunn, Gemma Gibson and Meredith Heckel are the six seniors to bid farewell to the UAM program after the loss. All six earned four letters at UAM.

Combined between the six players over four years is seven selections to the All-GSC First Team, four selections to the All-GSC second team, one GSC West Player of the Year, three All-South Region selections, 10 All-Academic selections and two NFCA All-America selections.

In the game, the Lady Blazers scored their only runs in the top of the fourth inning off three straight extra base hits.

The first run came from an RBI-single from Kristina Ely, which was followed a single up the middle by Shannon Cleland, who advanced to second on a throw to home plate. Amy Brightwell followed with an two-RBI double that forced the UAM starting pitcher, Becca Sustaire (Hallsville, Texas), out of the game.

Relieving Sustaire was senior Kate Brady (Longview, Texas) who retired the next three batters to end the inning. Brady almost threw a perfect four innings to finish the game, not giving up a hit and only walking one batter.

Sustaire was saddled with the loss, moving to 0-1 in postseason and 9-17 overall. Sustaire allowed three runs off six hits in three full innings of work.

The Blossoms tallied four hits in the ball game, coming from Heckel, Brooks, junior Amy Mardis (Burnet, Texas) and junior Heather Greer (Hollandale, Miss.), all having just one hit in the game.

The Blossoms end their season with an overall record of 23-31, while Valdosta State advanced in the loser’s bracket to face the loser of tonight’s winner’s bracket game between Arkansas Tech and Alabama-Huntsville.