CLEVELAND, Tenn. –  The No. 22 Valdosta State softball team opened the 2019 Gulf South Conference slate with a 9-1 win at Lee Friday afternoon.  VSU scored nine runs on ten hits, including five runs in the top of the seventh to blow the game open.  
 
Both teams put two on base in the opening inning, but were unable to score.  In the top of the second, VSU loaded the bases and junior Jordenne Gaten doubled down the left field line for a 2-0 lead.  
 
In the top of the fourth, junior Haley Garrett opened the inning with a home run to left field for a 3-0 lead.  It was her first round-tripper of the season.  Lee's Taylor De Adder belted a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth as the first round-tripper allowed by VSU this season for a 3-1 lead.  
 
VSU (9-1, 1-0 GSC) loaded the bases in the sixth and junior Dream Aaron drew a bases loaded walk for a 4-1 lead.  In the top of the seventh, junior Logan Hill belted her first home run of the season for a 5-1 lead.  Sophomore Kiley Robb then doubled up the middle and junior Lacey Crandall singled home two runs for a 7-1 lead.  Aaron singled home two more runs for a 9-1 lead.
 
For the game, Gaten went 3 for 4 with a run scored, two RBI and two doubles, while walking once. Hill was 2 or 4 with two runs scored, a RBI, a double and a home run, while Crandall was 2 for 2 with two runs scored and two RBI.  Aaron led the team with three RBI going 1 for 2 with three walks.  Sophomore Caylie Van Auken earned the win as she improved to 5-0 on the year, going five innings, allowing six hits, one earned run, walked two and fanned seven.  Senior Kasie Johnson pitched the final two innings, allowing two hits, walked two and fanned two.  
 
For the Flames (6-7, 0-1 GSC), they scored one run on eight hits with two errors as Kayla Louie went 3 for 4 and Lily Hatcher was 2 for 3.  De Addler had the one run on the solo home run.  Shonna Penny (2-4) took the loss in seven innings, allowing seven hits, seven runs – six earned, walked nine and fanned two.  
 
The teams will be back in action for a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. to conclude the series. Check back with vstateblazers.com for links to live stats and streaming.  Following the doubleheader check the site for a complete recap and stats of the twin bill.