HaleyFowlerLeadStory
2
Winner Valdosta State VSU 1-0
0
Wayne State WS 1-1
Winner
Valdosta State VSU
1-0
2
Final
0
Wayne State WS
1-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Valdosta State VSU 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 5 2
Wayne State WS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 2

W: Lamb, Avery (1-0) L: Butler (0-1)

5
Winner St. Mary's STMU 6-1
0
Valdosta State VSU 4-2
Winner
St. Mary's STMU
6-1
5
Final
0
Valdosta State VSU
4-2
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
St. Mary's STMU 0 3 1 0 0 1 0 5 8 0
Valdosta State VSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1

W: J. Russell (2-1) L: Johnson, Kasie (1-2)

Game Recap: Softball |

Blazers Split Opening Day of NFCA Leadoff Classic

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The No. 13 ranked Valdosta State softball team faced two nationally ranked opponents on Friday at the National Fastpitch Coaches' Association Leadoff Classic, and the Blazers came away with a split after taking down No. 10 Wayne State, 2-0, before falling to No. 12 St. Mary's, 5-0.
 
The results of the day pushed the Blazers to 4-2 on the young season, while St. Mary's improved to 6-2 and Wayne State shifted to 1-1.
 
Freshman Avery Lamb delivered yet again for Valdosta State in the opening contest with a complete game shutout in which she allowed just three hits over the course of seven innings. In addition, the lefty fanned four in the contest and did not issue a single walk. The shutout marked the first of her collegiate career and helped improve her record to 3-0 on the season.
 
The Blazer bats gave Lamb all she would need in the top half of the fourth inning with a pair of runs on two hits and an error. Taylor Hartenbach singled to the shortstop to lead off the frame, and a muffed throw by WSU's first baseman allowed VSU to place two runners in scoring position with nobody out. Two batters later, Hartenbach scored from third on a passed ball, and freshman Haley Fowler drove Cruthers in from third later in the same at bat with a single to center field to give Valdosta State the decisive 2-0 lead.
 
St. Mary's proved to be a different story later in the day, as the Rattlers took advantage of three Kasie Johnson walks to score three runs in the top half of the second inning on just two hits.
 
Maci Fletcher came on in relief for Valdosta State during the 2nd inning and proceeded to allow just two additional runs throughout 5.2 innings of work. The Blazer offense was held in check by St. Mary's Jorden Russell for the duration of the game, however. The sophomore hurler allowed just two Blazer hits and struck out five as she maneuvered through VSU's treacherous lineup.
 
The Blazers now turn their attention to Saturday, where they will kick off the first of two more NFCA Leadoff Classic matchups, beginning with Texas A&M Commerce at 10:00 a.m. Keep an eye on our Twitter page (@BlazerAthletics) for periodic score updates throughout the day.
 
 
 
 
 
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