HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The No. 13 Valdosta State softball team built a 3-0 lead in the rubber-match of a three-game series at No. 10 Alabama Huntsville, but was unable to hang on in a 9-7 loss Sunday afternoon.  

With VSU leading 7-4 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, UAH plated five runs on four hits for a 9-7 lead as VSU put two on in the top of seventh, but was unable to score.

VSU fell to 20-9 overall and 7-7 in Gulf South Conference play, while UAH improved to 26-8 and 12-3 in league play.

For the Blazers, VSU hit two home runs in the game and junior Logan Hill was 3 for 4 with two runs scored and a RBI to lead the team.  Juniors Jordenne Gaten and Lacey Crandall each went deep for the Blazers.  Sophomore Kiley Robb went 2 for 4 with a run scored and two RBI.

On the mound, sophomore starter Caylie Van Auken went 2.2 innings, allowing four hits, three runs - two earned, walked three and fanned one.  Junior Giovanna Watts (3-3) took the loss as she went 0.2 innings in the sixth, allowing one hit and two earned runs.  

UAH was led by Reagan Malone, who went 2 for 2 with two RBI, while Ashley Cornell went 2 for 3 with a run scored and two RBI.  Ava Jacobs (2-0) picked up the win in relief going 2.1 innings, allowing two hits, one earned run and fanned one.

The Blazers opened the scoring in the first inning and capitalized on a passed ball as Robb scored for a 1-0 lead.  In the second, Robb plated two runs on a single for a 3-0 lead.

UAH scored its first run on a throwing error and a sacrifice fly made the score 3-2.  VSU used a RBI single from Hill and the two run home run from Crandall for a 6-2 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, UAH starting pitcher Kiara Akles hit a solo home run to left field for a 6-3 score.

The Chargers played their fourth run of the game in the fifth on a home run from Ashley Cornell for a 6-4 score and Gaten then belted a home run in the top of the sixth for a 7-4 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, a leadoff walk began the inning, followed by a RBI double and a RBI single for a 7-6 VSU lead. Akles hit a sacrifice fly, tying the game at seven.  A RBI double followed, along with a RBI single from Cornell for a 9-7 lead.

Down to its last at bat, VSU had back-to-back singles for two on, but a fielder's choice out and a strikeout ended the game in disappointing fashion.  

VSU returns to action on Thursday in a makeup doubleheader at Georgia Southwestern, before returning home to host Auburn Montgomery Mar. 30-31 at Steel's Diamond.