Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CLEVELAND – The Delta State University Lady Statesmen softball team scored eight runs in the bottom of the second inning to earn a doubleheader split with the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Thursday at University Field.
 
The Lady Statesmen (23-28) hit two first inning home runs, including a grand slam in the bottom of the first and held on for a 9-4 win in game two, but could not find any offense in a 2-1 loss in nine innings in game one.
 
UAM (34-13) pitcher Kayla Jackson held DSU to only one hit in game one, when Taylor Holland reached on an infield single to third base in the second inning.
 
Starting pitcher Ashleigh Allgood was tough to hit as well, as she retired 12-of-13 UAM hitters to open the contest.
 
The Cotton Blossoms scored what proved to be the game winning runs in the top of the ninth inning when Maggie Sands beat out a ground ball to shortstop with two outs, scoring Kara House and Sara Matthews, who were running on contact.
 
DSU scored its lone run in the bottom half of the inning following a throwing error by Jackson.
 
Allgood (9-11) allowed two runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts. Jackson (24-6) struck out seven in the win. Sands (3-for-4) led the way for UAM.
 
The Lady Statesmen struck in a big way in the bottom of the first of game two, as Maggie Jackson led off the bottom of the inning with a home run off the top of the left field wall. After an RBI single by Katie Hebert, Brook Cline smashed a grand slam over the left field wall, giving DSU a 6-0 lead.
 
Jackson finished the scoring with a triple off the wall in deep right center field that scored Kayla Wilson. Jackson scored on the play, as the throw into the infield went into the UAM dugout.
 
The Blossoms plated single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, with RBIs by Beth Johnson and Matthews.
 
DSU made the score 9-2 in the bottom of the sixth as Taylor Hughes drove in Wilson with a ground ball to the shortstop.
 
Jackson finishing the scoring in the top of the seventh with a two run home run with two outs, but Brittany Gonzales forced a fly out by Sydney Tipton to end the game.
 
Gonzales (11-9) allowed four runs, one earned on nine hits in the win. Katie Slaughter allowed six runs on four hits in 0.1 of an inning. Haleigh Winnon went the rest of the way, giving up three runs, one earned on five hits.
 
The win for DSU finished the home schedule and was the first over UAM in 12 attempts.
 
DSU will hit the road for its final two GSC series, facing West Georgia on Saturday, April 21 and No. 1 Valdosta State on Sunday, April 22.
 
First pitch at UWG is scheduled for 10 a.m.