SAINT AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Home runs from senior Logan Hill and junior Nicole Pennington highlighted a five-run fourth inning, and an outstanding pitching performance from freshman Morgan Hill led the No. 24 Valdosta State softball team to a 5-0 victory over Wingate in the final game of the Old Coast Classic on Sunday morning. 
 
The Blazers (5-3) tallied five runs on four hits with one error, highlighted by the two round-trippers in the fourth inning.  M. Hill (1-0) pitched a complete game shutout, allowing four hits, one walk and fanned nine Bulldogs.  Pennington finished 1 for 4 with three RBI and a run scored on the home run, while L. Hill was 1 for 2 with a home run and a walk.
 
M. Hill worked out of a jam in the second as Wingate (0-5) put two on with two out and she ended up striking out the side to preserve the scoreless tie.  The Blazers had a chance in the third as senior Natalia Bellinger singled to begin the frame and moved to third, but the Blazers were unable to score. 
 
The Blazers then put up a crooked number in the fourth, plating five runs with four unearned, highlighted by the home runs from L. Hill, who hit a solo shot to begin the inning, and Pennington belted her third round-tripper of the season – a three run shot for a 5-0 lead with two out, following a costly error by the Bulldogs. 
 
VSU loaded the bases with two away in the bottom of the fifth off WU starter Aubrey Reep, as she was saddled with her sixth free pass of the contest.  Following the walk, the Bulldogs went to the bullpen in favor of Kaitlyn Knuckles to pitch to sophomore Carly Joiner.  Knuckles got out of the jam with a strikeout to end the threat. 
 
Reep (0-2) finished her day in the circle, going 4.1 innings, allowing four hits, five runs – one earned, walked six and fanned five.  She led the Bulldogs from the plate with two of the four hits.

M. Hill retired the Bulldogs in order in the seventh for the victory.  VSU returns home for the 2020 home opener next Saturday as it begins Gulf South Conference play versus Shorter.  Saturday's doubleheader begins at 1 p.m., followed by a single game Sunday also at 1 p.m.