GULF SHORES, Ala. - The Valdosta State softball team kicked off their 2017 season with a split in non-conference softball action on Saturday in Gulf Shores, Ala.
The Blazers started the day on a high note with a 7-2 win over No. 8 North Georgia in game one, thanks to a big third inning, combined with an impressive debut in the circle by freshman lefty
Avery Lamb.
Tara McIntyre ignited the Blazers' half of the third with a lead off bunt single and promptly moved into scoring position with the help of a sacrifice bunt by
Jessica Mohl. Senior
Chelsea Canara followed with her first of two RBI doubles in the game to put VSU in front 1-0. Two batters later, Haley Cruthers plated Canara with an RBI single, and a
Taylor Hartenbach infield single set the stage for Lowndes High graduate
Haley Fowler, who made the most of her debut with a three-run no doubter over the center field wall.
Lamb scattered eight hits over seven innings to allow UNG just two runs in the game, one of which was unearned. She struck out four batters and induced an even split on fly balls and groundouts with eight in each category.
In the nightcap, Valdosta State fell 11-2 to Auburn Montgomery, as the Blazers were unable to overcome a sour second inning, during which AUM scored seven runs.
Hartenbach and
Haley Garrett both scored in the fourth, but it was too little too late, as Auburn Montgomery recorded four more runs in the final four innings to evoke the mercy rule after six innings of play.
Kasie Johnson struck out a pair of hitters and induced a fly ball in the first inning, but the junior took the loss after allowing five earned runs in the second before giving way to
Kathryn Carter with nobody out and one aboard. Carter gave Coach
Thomas Macera 4.1 innings, but allowed six runs during the stretch, including three additional runs before the conclusion of AUM's monstrous second.
The Lady Blazers moved to 1-1 after the split and will continue their weekend with two more Sunday games, beginning with a 12:30 p.m. matchup vs. Barry and followed by a 3:00 p.m. Showdown with Spring Hill. Live stats for both games will be available right here at www.vstateblazers.com.
