CLEARWATER, Fla. – Behind a career-high 13 strikeouts from senior Kasie Johnson, the No. 22 Valdosta State softball team upset No. 2 Southern Arkansas, 3-0, Friday afternoon at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.  VSU improved to 2-0 in the tournament and 6-0 overall, as it didn't allow a run in either contest today, knocking off two ranked teams.
 
Johnson was brilliant throughout as she tossed a four-hitter and didn't walk anyone as no Blazer pitcher as allowed a walk all season through six games.  In a pitcher's duel for the most part, she bested reigning NFCA National Pitcher of the Week Victoria Taylor as Taylor was a First Team All-America selection in 2018.  On Friday though, Taylor allowed five hits over seven innings, three earned runs, walked three and fanned 11. 
 
Offensively, VSU was led by junior Jordenne Gaten as she went 1 for 3 with two RBI, while sophomore Ashely Biddle belted her second home run of the season.  Gaten finished the day going 4 for 6 with two runs scored, four RBI, two walks and a stolen base.  Biddle went 3 for 6 with two runs scored, one double, one home run and three RBI for the two games.  Against SAU, junior Baylee Everson went 2 for 3 to lead the team in hits with one run scored.  The Lady Muleriders (3-1) tallied four singles in the game as Faith Otts went 2 for 3 for the game.
 
With one out in the top of the second, Biddle hit her round-tripper to left for a 1-0 lead.  Southern Arkansas had a great chance in the fourth as it began the frame with a leadoff single from Sarah Evans and an infield single put two on.  Johnson got a fly out as both runners advanced and she fired two strikeouts to end the threat leaving two in scoring position.
 
SAU had another chance in the sixth with Otts collecting a hit with two away, followed by a single from Laina Suesue, but Johnson got out of the jam with a fly out to left. 
 
In the seventh, VSU added the insurance runs with Gaten's two RBI single to right with two away for a 3-0 lead.  In the bottom of the frame, Johnson retired SAU in order as she improved to 3-0 on the year.
 
For the day, VSU hit .292 with 14 hits, 14 runs, one double, one home run and 11 RBI.  The team went a perfect 6 for 6 in steals and didn't record an error in 38 chances.  The staff held the opposition to a .182 average on eight hits, no runs, no walks and fanned 22. 
 
VSU continues at the NFCA Leadoff Classic tomorrow with the first game set for 12 p.m. against No. 19 Lenoir-Rhyne, followed by a 4:30 p.m. game against Azusa Pacific (Calif.).  The tournament concludes Sunday as VSU battles Tampa at 11 a.m. 
 
Check back with vstateblazers.com for complete recaps and statistics of each game on Saturday and Sunday.