MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The No. 19 Valdosta State softball team dropped the opener of a Gulf South Conference doubleheader Saturday at Montevallo, 5-1, but responded with an 11-1, run-rule win in the nightcap to split the doubleheader. 
 
VSU (26-12, 9-10 GSC) took the early lead in the opener on a RBI single from Lacey Crandall in the second inning, but UM plated three runs in the bottom of the inning, with one run coming courtesy of one of three Blazer miscues in the game.  UM added two more runs in the fourth for a 5-1 lead as VSU was unable to get much going in the latter stages of the game. 
 
Montevallo (22-20, 11-12 GSC) tallied five runs on nine hits, while VSU had one run on five hits.  VSU senior Kasie Johnson took the loss, allowing nine hits five runs – four earned, walked none and fanned three. 
 
VSU came out on fire in the nightcap, plating five runs in the first inning, highlighted by a grand slam from junior Jordenne Gaten.  UM tallied a run in the bottom of the inning, but VSU added two more runs in the top of the second for a 7-1 lead. 
 
In the fifth, the Blazers used a pair of RBI singles from junior Fallyn Johnson and junior Taylor Strickland, while redshirt freshman Kiley Robb belted a two run home run for an 11-1 lead.  F. Johnson and Strickland each had three hits in the game as F. Johnson was 3 for 3 with three runs scored, while Strickland was 3 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBI.  Gaten went 1 for 3 with a run scored and four RBI.
 
VSU sophomore Caylie Van Auken went the distance (10-4), allowing three hits, one earned run, walked none and fanned three.  UM used three pitchers in the loss. 
 
The teams will play the rubber-match Sunday at 12 p.m. ET to conclude the series.  Check back with vstateblazers.com for complete stats and a recap of Sunday's game.