Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University Lady Statesmen softball team scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning of game two, and hung on for the win to salvage a doubleheader split with the University of Arkansas at Monticello Cotton Blossoms, Tuesday at University Field.
 
UAM (22-20) used a 12 hit performance to outscore the Lady Statesmen (15-23) 8-4 in game one.
 
DSU used its four run third inning to salvage the split with a 6-4 victory in game two.
 
The teams split the four game season series 2-2.
 
Arkansas Monticello, who were shut out 3-0 by DSU starting pitcher Miller Maddox on March 13, didn't waste time scoring in game one, as Maggie Sands' RBI single up the middle scored Hannah Pendley from second base.
 
The Cotton Blossoms took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third on a two run home run by Beth Johnson.
 
DSU scored its first run in the bottom of the fourth, as Megan Mayfield scored on a sacrifice fly by Taylor Hughes.
 
UAM added three in the fifth, using three infield singles, while sending nine hitters to the plate.
 
Kaitlin Moore's third home run of the season, a two run shot in the bottom of the fifth, got DSU to within 6-3, but the Cotton Blossoms added two more in the top of the sixth.
 
The Lady Statesmen threatened in the bottom of the seventh, with three hits, but were held to only one run, as starting pitcher Randa Perry forced a ground out and a pop up to end the game.
 
Perry (9-11) allowed four runs, three earned, on eight hits in the win.
 
Maddox allowed six runs, five earned, on nine hits with four strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Lauren Kendall allowed two runs on three hits in 2.1 innings of relief.
 
Moore finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs to lead DSU. Kassidy Tally (2-for-4) was the only other player with multiple hits for the Lady Statesmen.
 
Kali Piha had three hits to lead UAM.
 
Game two saw DSU open the scoring at 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth, using three hits, including an RBI single by Taylor Holland.
 
The Lady Statesmen took a commanding 5-0 lead in the bottom of the third, scoring four runs on five hits against UAM starting pitcher Katie Slaughter. DSU used an RBI double by Amber Adcock, a run scoring single by Katie Hebert and a two RBI single by Memrie Corley.
 
UAM got back into the game in the top of the fifth, when Sara Matthews followed three straight singles with a grand slam, making the score 5-4.
 
With two on the top of the sixth, starting pitcher Brittany Gonzales forced a line out by Sands, to end the threat.
 
Taylor Hughes added an insurance run for the Lady Statesmen in the bottom of the sixth, as she used an RBI double to drive in pinch runner Kayla Wilson to complete the scoring.
 
Gonzales forced a groundout, and struck out Taylor Norris to end the game.
 
Slaughter (11-7) allowed five runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings of work. Courtney Wilson allowed one run on five hits in 3.2 innings of relief.
 
Gonzales (8-11) allowed four runs on 12 hits in the complete game victory.
 
Holland (2-for-2) reached base safely all four times, while Corley and Hughes each finished 2-for-3 at the plate.
 
Pendley and Matthews each finished 3-for-4 to lead UAM.
 
The Lady Statesmen return to the field on Saturday, April 13 for a Gulf South Conference doubleheader with Christian Brothers University. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Bland Field.