VALDOSTA, Ga. – The No. 22 Valdosta State softball team returns to action this week as it travels to Lee University to open the 2019 Gulf South Conference slate.  The Blazers and Flames are scheduled for a single game Friday at 1 p.m., followed by a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
The Blazers enter the week 8-1 after going 4-1 last week at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla. VSU posted four shutouts on the week, blanking three ranked teams, including No. 2 Southern Arkansas (3-0), No. 18 Palm Beach Atlantic (11-0) and No. 19 Lenoir-Rhyne (6-0).  The Blazers couldn't quite get the weekend sweep, dropped a disappointing 2-1 decision to Tampa in the final game Sunday.  
 
For the week, VSU hit .250 with 31 hits, 22 runs scored, four doubles, one home run and 18 RBI.  The team slugged .306 and reached base at a .326 clip, with 14 walks and one hit batsmen.  The Blazers were a perfect 13 of 13 in stolen bases and had three errors for a .975 fielding percentage.  Junior Haley Garrett hit .400 for the week on 4 of 10 from the plate with two runs scored and an RBI.  Junior Baylee Everson had a team-high five hits with three runs scored, while junior Jordenne Gaten went 5 of 17 from the plate with two runs scored and a team-high five RBI.
 
The pitching staff had an outstanding weekend as it boasted a 0.42 ERA in 33 innings.  VSU surrendered just two runs the entire weekend and fanned 45, while allowing its first walk of the season as teams hit just .147 against it.  All three pitchers earned wins on the week as sophomore Caylie Van Auken went 2-0 with a 0.40 ERA in 17.2 innings, allowing nine hits, one earned run, struck out 23 and walked none.  She was named GSC Pitcher of the Week and earned National Pitcher of the Week honors by both Fastpitch News and NFCA.  Senior Kasie Johnson went 1-1 in two starts for 8.1 innings, allowing five hits, one earned run, walked one and fanned 14 for a 0.84 ERA.  Junior Avery Lamb went 1-0 in seven innings, allowing three hits and struck out eight.  
 
For the season, VSU is hitting .260 with 58 hits, 47 runs, nine doubles, two triples, six home runs and 41 RBI.  The team is slugging .399 and reaching base at a .367 clip with 37 walks and two hit batsmen.  VSU is 16 of 18 in stolen bases and has a .977 fielding percentage with five errors leading to one unearned run.  Junior Natalia Bellinger leads the team with a .556 average on 5 of 9 from the dish with six runs scored, one double and four RBI.  Everson is 8 of 19 from the plate for a .421 average with six runs scored, and one RBI.  Sophomore Ashley Biddle and junior Dream Aaron lead the team with two home runs each. 
 
VSU carries a 0.71 ERA in 59 innings, while allowing 41 hits seven runs – six earned, walked one and fanned 72 through nine games with teams hitting .190 against it.  The Blazers have five complete games and one save. Johnson has a 0.38 ERA and is 3-1 on the year in four starts with two complete games.  She has pitched 18.2 innings, allowing 13 hits, one earned run, one walk and struck out 27.  Van Auken has pitched a team-high 32.2 innings with a 0.64 ERA and is 4-0 on the year in six appearances with four starts.  She has two shutouts and one save, while allowing 24 hits, four runs – three earned, walked none and fanned 36.  Teams are hitting .202 against her.  
 
Lee enters at 6-6 on the year and also participated in the NFCA Leadoff Classic, going 3-2.  The Flames were swept at Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.) on Wednesday, losing 9-3 and 7-0.  For the season, the Flames are hitting .287 with 91 hits, 50 runs, 11 doubles, three triples and three home runs as the team is slugging .369 and reaching base at a .354 clip.  Lee has 14 errors for a .960 fielding percentage leading to 11 unearned runs. Kayla Louie leads the team hitting .389 with 14 hits, five runs scored and three RBI.  Kayla Gooch is second in average at .381 with four runs scored, one double, one triple and three RBI. Bailey Church leads the team with two home runs and 13 RBI as she has 12 hits, five runs scored and three doubles for a.676 slugging percentage. 
 
On the mound, Lee boasts a 4.04 ERA in 78 innings, allowing 88 hits, 56 runs – 45 earned, 39 walks and 34 strikeouts as teams are hitting .291 against it.  Stevie Baird is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA in seven appearances with three starts.  She has pitched a team-high 25.2 innings, allowing 27 hits, 13 runs – 11 earned, walked five and struck out 10.  Taylor De Adder is 2-2 with a 3.55 ERA in 23.2 innings.  She leads the team with 17 strikeouts.  
 
Following the series, VSU continues on the road Tuesday for a doubleheader at Georgia Southwestern beginning at 4 p.m.  The Blazers then will be off for eight days before a road doubleheader at Flagler on Feb. 27. VSU then will open the 2019 home season Mar. 2-3 versus Union at Steel's Diamond.