MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Valdosta State softball team tacked on two more wins (2-0, 18-0) against Gulf South Conference foe Christian Brothers on Saturday in Memphis, Tenn.
The sweep improved VSU to 28-2 on the year and bumped the Blazers to a 15-1 conference record, while CBU fell to 6-20 overall and 2-12 in league play.
The Blazers left 15 runners on base in game one of the Saturday twin bill, but clutch RBI hits by
Kiley Rusen in the first inning and
Fran Johnson in the fourth inning, along with another outstanding pitching effort by
Caitlyn Calhoun, helped secure the Blazers 18
th straight victory.
Calhoun went the distance again for Valdosta State and increased her streak of scoreless innings pitched to 45.1. Only one other pitcher in the history of the Gulf South Conference has thrown more consecutive scoreless innings, and the shutout marks her seventh straight, another second place mark in GSC history.
In game two, the Valdosta State bats came alive to plate 18 runs on 20 hits. Junior shortstop
Jaime Phillips highlighted the contest with a 5-for-5 effort at the plate. On the day, Phillips swung for one homer, five runs, and five RBI's. As the leadoff hitter, she reached safely eight times in ten plate appearances and added one stolen base and one sacrifice bunt.
Every batter in the Blazer starting lineup picked up a hit in the lopsided nightcap, and
Halie Imler added two hits to a strong game one performance that helped lead the sophomore to a 5-for-8 day that included three runs scored.
Freshman
Brandy Morgan improved her team-high RBI total to 35 with five runs batted in during game two and finished the day 5-for-7, while Johnson scored 4-of-9 with three runs scored and a pair of RBI's.
Huntyre Elling teamed up with
Maci Fletcher in game two for five scoreless innings of work, and Elling improved her season record to a perfect 8-0 on the season.
The Blazers return to action tomorrow for the series finale, which is slated for a 1:00 p.m. start in Memphis, Tenn. Live stats, audio, and video coverage can be followed throughout at www.vstateblazers.com.
