Top Teams in the Country Play to a Split

Lady Blazers win, 4-2, but fell in second game, 9-4

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Alabama-Huntsville and Valdosta State proved they are two of the best teams in the nation with two entertaining games Saturday. The Lady Blazers moved to 41-6 overall and 15-2 in the Gulf South Conference to stay ahead of UAH in the East Division standings.

Holly Satterfield led the Lady Blazers to a 4-2 win in the first game, but the combination of Brianna Collis and Margaret Carter could not get past the Chargers in the second game. Alabama-Huntsville took it by a score of 9-4.

Valdosta State's win was UAH pitcher Caitlin Lee's first loss of her two-season career. In a very defensive game, Andi Braswell did the best at the plate with a two for three performance. Melessa Jackson was the only other Lady Blazer above .500 in the first game. She finished one for two with a run. Alyssa Shirey was one for three with three run batted in, and Stephanie Carlson was also one for three with a run.

In the second game, Clare Wamsley was the most consistent hitter with a two for three game with a run. Five others were one for three in the game with home runs from Braswell and Shirey.

After being hit in the first inning, Kristina Prater made her way around the bases for the first run of the game. No other runs were scored until the top of the fifth inning. Erin Duke also made her way around the bases after being hit. She was knocked in by Beth Lawson.

There was great defense from both teams throughout the day. To get out of the top of the sixth inning, Carlson caught a pop up bunt and rifled it to third for a double play. Carlson provided the momentum VSU needed.

In the bottom of the sixth, with bases loaded, Shirey hit a fast-moving grounder to the fence. The hit cleared the bases. Joy Perry, pinch running for Shirey, would score one more run before the end of the sixth to claim VSU's first lead of the day, 4-2.

The four runs in the sixth inning would prove to be enough. The Chargers were threatening in the seventh though. With two runners on base Lawson hit a grounder through the middle, but Jackson rifled the ball from shallow center to Becca Aszman at home plate. Aszman tagged Lawson for the final out of the first game.

Valdosta State started strong in the second game with a lead off home run from Braswell. The Lady Blazers followed it up with two more runs in the second inning. Wamsley and Aszman made their way around the bases after hitting singles to get on base.

Alabama-Huntsville responded with a two-run homer from Lawson with two outs in the third. The Chargers took the lead with three unearned runs in the fifth. After an error from the Lady Blazers with two outs in the inning, Caitlin Lee hit a three-run homer to make it 5-3 in favor of UAH.

After one unearned run in the sixth, Lee hit another three-run shot to expand the lead to 9-3. Shirey responded in the bottom of the inning with a solo homer, but it wouldn't be enough. Huntsville solidified the split to keep the question open if both teams meet in a possible postseason match up.

The Lady Blazers will see their next action at West Florida in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

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