VALDOSTA, Ga. – The No. 5-ranked Valdosta State softball team used two fifth inning walk-off hits to sweep a non-conference doubleheader from visiting Georgia Southwestern Wednesday afternoon.  VSU junior hurler Giovanna Watts tossed a no-hitter in the nightcap as the Blazers won the opener 9-1 and the second game, 10-0.   
 
#5 Valdosta State 9, Georgia Southwestern 1 (Game 1)
The Blazers wasted little time in the opener as they plated four runs on three hits with two errors in the bottom of the first inning of the opener.  Following a leadoff walk, stolen base and error, junior Taylor Strickland singled home a run with a double to right center and junior Haley Garrett doubled home two runs, while sophomore Kiley Robb reached on the second miscue of the frame, plating the fourth run.  
 
VSU added a run in the fourth as junior Jordenne Gaten scored on a wild pitch after reaching on a double to left.  In the top of the fifth, GSW got on the board with a bases loaded walk as reigning Gulf South Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week, senior Kasie Johnson, struggled in the frame. Watts came in and got a pair of strikeouts as the Hurricanes left the bags full.
 
In the bottom of the frame, the Blazers used a leadoff single from Garrett, a sacrifice bunt, wild pitch and error plating the first run.  Later in the inning, Strickland used a bases loaded double for the walk-off, plating three more runs and a 9-1 lead.
 
Johnson (7-1) went 4.1 innings, allowing five hits, one earned run, walked two and fanned five.  Strickland was 3 for 3 in the game with two doubles, four RBI and a run scored.  Garrett was 2 for 3 with two runs scored, two RBI and a double.  
 
VSU tallied nine runs on 11 hits with an error, while GSW had one run on five hits with three errors. 
 
#5 Valdosta State 10, Georgia Southwestern 0 (Game 2)
In the nightcap, VSU plated a run on the very first at bat of the bottom of the first as Gaten hit a solo home run to left for a 1-0 lead.  The Blazers added a run in the second as junior Natalia Bellinger doubled to center, plating a run for a 2-0 lead.  
 
Three more runs crossed the plate in the fourth as Robb belted her first home run of the game – a three run shot to left center for a 5-0 lead.  VSU continued the offensive onslaught in the bottom of the fifth, once again, the Blazers added the sixth run on a wild pitch and an infield single scored the seventh run.  VSU then walked off for the win in thrilling fashion as Robb belted her second home run in as many at bats and innings for the win.  
 
Robb went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and six RBI for the game, while Watts was outstanding in the circle, going five innings with her only base runner being on an error as she fanned three with no walks, improving to 2-1 on the year.  
 
Her no-no is the first of her VSU career and the ninth no-hitter or perfect game in VSU history as it is the first since Johnson tallied a perfect game on Mar. 21, 2018, against Miles.
 
VSU has a change in the weekend schedule at Mississippi College as it now will play the Choctaws on Sunday and Monday, instead of Saturday and Sunday.  Due to pending inclement weather in Clinton, Miss., the games have been moved to Hinds Community College.  The doubleheader Sunday is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, followed by a 1 p.m. start on Monday.