MONTICELLO, Ark. – The Lady Statesmen were introduced to Arkansas-Monticello freshman Kayla Jackson to the tune of a complete game shutout in the circle and a 4-for-6, five RBI day at the plate as the Cotton Blossoms (32-7, 11-5 Gulf South Conference) increased their lead atop of the GSC West Division, defeating second place Delta State (23-17, 11-9 GSC) 2-0 and 9-0 in five innings. 

After the Lady Statesmen failed to convert a second and third, one out situation in the top of the sixth, Jackson, who was currently 0-for-2 in game one, sent Edie Oliver's first pitch of the at-bat back through the box for a two-RBI single. 

Jackson, a hard-throwing right-hander, then closed out the Lady Statesmen in the top of the seventh. She improved her record to 20-4 with the victory, allowing just three hits and a walk with five strikeouts. 

Edie Oliver (15-8) was charged with the loss, despite a stellar performance for her squad. The junior southpaw allowed just two runs on five hits with one walk and six strikeouts. 

The Lady Statesmen left eight runners on base in the second game, including four in scoring position with less than two outs, but each time Cotton Blossom Randa Perry, also a freshman, was able to keep a run from crossing the plate. 

Arkansas-Monticello had no problem getting runners across, however, scoring two in the first, five in the second, and two in the third. Eight of UAM's nine runs came with two outs. 

Kate Moreland (4-4) was charged with the loss, allowing nine runs, five earned, on eight hits and two walks with one strikeout in 2.2 innings. Brooke Allgood finished the game for the Lady Statesmen, holding the Cotton Blossoms scoreless over the last inning and a third, allowing two hits and a walk. 

Perry (7-3) earned the win, allowing just three hits with four walks and three strikeouts. 

The Lady Statesmen and the Cotton Blossoms with close out the season series Thursday, April 16, with a double-header scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.