CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The No. 22 Valdosta State softball team split a doubleheader Saturday at Lee University to take the opening Gulf Coast Conference series, 2-1.  VSU dropped a disappointing opener giving up eight runs over the final two innings in an 8-4 loss, while winning the nightcap 7-1. 
 
In the opener, four errors proved costly as VSU allowed eight runs and a season-high 15 hits against in the 8-4 loss.  The Blazers held a 3-0 lead into the fifth, but three runs in the frame by the Flames and five runs in the sixth proved too much to overcome.  
 
VSU jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a single from junior Haley Garrett and a miscue by the Flames plated Junior Taylor Strickland for a 1-0 lead in the second inning.  Garrett began the fifth with a home run to left center and sophomore Kiley Robb hit a sacrifice fly for a 3-0 lead.
 
The bats came alive for the Flames in the fifth and sixth innings as they scored eight runs on 11 hits with three VSU errors.  VSU scratched across a run in the seventh on Garrett's second round-tripper of the game. 
 
VSU senior Kasie Johnson pitched 4.1 innings, allowing eight hits, three runs – two earned, walked none and fanned six, while junior Giovanna Watts (0-1) took the loss in one inning, allowing three hits, three runs, walked one and fanned one.  Garrett paced the team offensively going 3 for 3 with two runs scored and two RBI.  
 
Lee pitcher Taylor De Adder (3-2) took the win in seven innings, allowing seven hits, four runs – two earned, walked one and fanned seven.  She also went 3 for 4 from the dish with two RBI in the win.     
 
In the nightcap junior Jordenne Gaten began the game with a home run to left for a 1-0 lead.  VSU added four runs in the second highlighted by a junior Natalia Bellinger RBI single and a Gaten RBI double for a 5-0 lead.  
 
Lee's Bailey Church hit a home run in the bottom of the second for a 5-1 score, but VSU added runs in the third and sixth as Gaten homered to right in the sixth for the 7-1 lead.  
 
VSU sophomore pitcher Caylie Van Auken went all seven innings, allowing seven hits, one earned run, walked one and fanned seven.  Shonna Penney (2-5) took the loss for the Flames.
 
The Blazers return to action Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Georgia Southwestern.  Fans can access links to live stats and streaming at vstateblazers.com on the softball schedule page.