MonticelloLive

Sophomore Becca Tipton racked up five RBI over two games, leading the University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team over Missouri Southern twice on Sunday with final scores of 9-4 in the first game and 11-10 in the final game of the series.

GAME ONE (W 9-4)
The Blossoms jumped on Missouri Southern early, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning with two RBI-doubles – first from Tipton (Dermott, Ark.), scoring junior Lindsey Randall (Keithville, La.), followed by senior Gemma Gibson (Dodd City, Texas), who smashed a double to center field that scored Tipton.
 
UAM struck again strong in the bottom of the third inning with three runs. Tipton continued her impressive day by leading off the inning with a homerun that cleared the right field fence.
 
Gibson and senior Jenny Dunn (Adelaide, Australia) both scored later in the inning off a throwing error from Missouri Southern’s Kellie Bax.
 
The Blossoms scored the majority of its runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring four, all earned. Tipton got her third RBI in the game, hitting an RBI sacrifice fly that scored senior Meredith Heckel (Hot Springs, Ark.). Dunn followed with an RBI single that scored Randall. The other two runs came from a two-run blast from senior Kate Brady (Longview, Texas).
 
Brady recorded her first win of the season after pitching a complete game, allowing only three earned runs off eight hits, while only walking two of the 31 batters she faced.
 
GAME TWO (W 11-10)
After the Lady Lions opened the game with four runs off starting pitcher Becca Sustaire (Hallsville, Texas), the Blossoms answered strong with five runs in the bottom of the first inning.
 
Dunn hit an RBI single that scored Randall. That was followed by an RBI single from Gibson that scored Tipton. Two batters later, Sustaire hit an RBI sacrifice fly that scored Dunn. The final runs of the inning came from a two-RBI single from senior Lauren Brooks (West Monroe, La.) that scored Gibson and Brady.
 
Tipton collected her fourth RBI of the day in the second inning, smashing an RBI single to center field that scored Randall, who doubled to lead off the inning.
 
The Lady Lions fought back to take a one-run lead in the top of the seventh inning. UAM responded with back-to-back run producing at bats.
 
Randall singled to left that scored junior Amy Mardis (Burnet, Texas). Tipton followed with a game-winning RBI double to center field that scored Heckel.
 
Brady (2-2) relieved Sustaire, recording the win after pitching 6.2 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) off 13 hits, only walking one of the 37 batters she faced.
 
ON DECK
The Blossoms have now won three straight games, improving their overall record to 4-10. UAM hosts the Super 8 Softball Tournament this next weekend (Feb. 29-Mar. 2) in Monticello. UAM opens up with Valdosta State on Friday, Feb. 29 at 12 p.m. at Blossom Field.