VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State softball team used a wild play in the first inning for four early runs, and the Blazers never looked back in a 7-1 win over West Georgia in the Gulf South Conference series finale on Saturday in Valdosta, Ga.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the first, freshman Haley Garrett came to the plate and gave the Blazers their first lead of the game with a two-run single. The play continued, however, as Katie Spinks overthrew home plate and allowed Taylor Hartenbach a chance to score from first. Emily Miles' attempt to recover the errant throw and cut down Hartenbach resulted in another error, and Garrett circled the bases completely to put VSU on top 4-0.

Kathryn Carter took it from there, and with the help of two solo homers by Hartenbach and Tana McDaniel, along with an RBI triple in the sixth inning by Jessica Mohl, the freshman righty went the distance for the third time in one week. Carter allowed just one run in the game, which was unearned, and she improved her record on the season to a staggering 14-2.

Valdosta State lifted their overall record to 31-13 on the season and bumped their conference record to 18-9. Meanwhile, the Wolves fell to 23-21 overall and saw their record against league opponents fall below .500 at 13-14 on the season.

The series win moved the Blazers into a four-way tie for second place with Alabama-Huntsville, Lee, and Mississippi College with six GSC games remaining on the schedule. All four teams have now clinched a berth in the postseason conference tournament. West Florida, meanwhile, sits all alone at the top of the standings with a one-game lead.

Valdosta State will continue at home on Tuesday with a non-conference double-header against the Albany State Golden Rams. First pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m. at Steel's Diamond at Blazer Park, and live video and audio will be available for both games at www.vstateblazers.com.