MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Softball closed out the opening weekend of Gulf South Conference play with a bang after defeating the Christian Brothers Lady Bucs 20-4 in the series finale on Sunday afternoon in Memphis, Tenn.
The Blazers made the most of the sunny afternoon with another impressive offensive performance that led to 23 hits, three of which were homers by
Jessica Mohl,
Chelsea Canara, and
Brandy Morgan. Valdosta State saw six different players record three or more hits in the game, and eight different hitters drove in at least one run in the game.
The performance lifted Valdosta State's team batting average to a league-leading .394, and the Blazers also now currently lead the conference in runs scored (132), doubles (34), RBI's (117), and total bases (236).
The biggest inning of the game for the Blazers came in the second, when VSU racked up eight runs on eight hits. Valdosta State posted five runs on four hits before the Lady Bucs even recorded an out, and
Tana McDaniel,
Tara McIntyre, and Mohl each delivered RBI's later in the frame.
Mohl put a stamp on her incredible weekend with her first home run of the season in the fourth inning with one away. The solo shot to center field capped off a series to remember for the junior, which included 11 hits in 14 at-bats for a .786 batting average. In addition, the left-handed hitter racked up 11 runs in the series to go along with two doubles, one triple, one homer, four RBI's, 18 total bases, two stolen bases, and a 1.286 slugging percentage. Mohl now ranks second in the Gulf South Conference with a .547 batting average.
Six different hitters hit over .500 on the weekend, and
Chelsea Canara's 10 RBI's on the weekend lifted the senior to league-leading 26 on the young season.
With the victory, VSU improved to 12-2 overall and moved to the top position in the GSC standings with a 3-0 conference record. Meanwhile, the Lady Bucs fell to the bottom of the pack at 2-9 overall and 0-3 in league action.
Valdosta State will welcome Florida Tech to town on Tuesday afternoon for a South Region doubleheader at 2:00 p.m. Live coverage will be available from Titletown, USA, right here at www.vstateblazers.com.
