VALDOSTA, Ga.- The No. 13 Valdosta State softball team is set to travel to Shorter this weekend where it will play a three-game series with the Hawks, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, Mar. 4, at 3 p.m., and concluding with a single game on Sunday, Mar. 5 at 1 p.m.
Fans can access links to video streaming, live stats, rosters and more at vstateblazers.com on the softball schedule page.
VSU recently went 6-1 last week when it competed in seven games in six days. The Blazers opened the week with a two-game sweep over Flagler on Tuesday night, shutting out the Saints 9-0 in the first game and posting a 13-8 comeback victory in game two. VSU then hosted Embry-Riddle in a doubleheader on Thursday evening where they broke out the brooms once again for the two-game sweep. The Blazers soundly defeated Embry-Riddle 7-2 in game one then proceeded to win game two 11-2 in six innings. Over the weekend, VSU travelled to Delta State for a Gulf South Conference three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday and a series concluding game on Sunday. The Blazers split the Saturday double header with the Statesmen, winning game one, 10-2 and falling just short in game two, 9-4. VSU responded with an outstanding performance at the plate in the series closer Sunday, exploding for a 15-0 victory behind six Blazer home runs as Valdosta State won its second GSC series of the year.
Over the course of the week, junior Taylor Macera had an outstanding stretch, recording nine hits, seven runs, and 12 RBI on a career-high six homers. After such a dominant week at the plate, it was announced by the league office on Tuesday that Macera was the GSC softball Player of the Week. However, this would not be the only honor given to a Blazer this week as senior Samantha Richards was announced as the GSC pitcher of the week behind a dominant week in the circle. Richards saw action in all seven games on the week and recorded 40 strikeouts, four walks, three shutouts, four complete games and allowed 20 hits for six runs in 31.1 innings pitched, holding an overall 9-1 record on the season.
The Blazers currently hoist a 11-3 overall record and are 4-2 in conference play. Collectively the Blazers have hit 38 home runs this season and are number one in the nation in total home runs, as well as home runs per game with 2.71 a clip. VSU is also first in the conference and second in the nation in slugging percentage as the Blazers are currently slugging .670.
Individually, the Blazers are led by freshman Jayme Prandine at the plate, batting .423 with 11 hits, 11 runs, one triple, three home runs, and seven RBI, leading the conference in on base percentage at .605. Senior Taylor Lewis is batting .419 with 13 hits, six runs, one double, four homers and seven RBI while junior Morgan Hill is averaging .408 with 20 hits, 20 runs, four doubles, six home runs and 15 RBI. Hill is averaging 1.43 runs per game for first in the conference and 17th nationally while freshman Jasmin Stewart is first in the conference and 18th in the nation in bunts per game with .38 a clip.
On the mound for the Blazers, Richards has a 1.87 ERA, tallying 63 strikeouts, nine walks and allowed 49 hits for 18 runs in 60 total innings pitched. She has eight complete games for first in the conference and third in the nation while also being first in the conference and 16th in the nation in games started. She has three shutouts so far for first in the conference and ninth in the nation. Her 63 strikeouts Is a conference best and is 13th in the nation while her 9-1 record is the best in the GSC and the fourth in the nation.
Shorter enters the week 4-15 and 1-5 in league play after being swept in a two-game doubleheader at No. 2 North Georgia on Wednesday evening. The Hawks are led by head coach Kelsey Hodgson, who is 17-109 in four seasons with the program. She is 0-9 against the Blazers as VSU has won 18 of the last 28 meetings with the Hawks.
Individually, the Hawks are led by Courtney Pinkston at the plate as she is batting .368 with 14 hits, one run, and five RBI while Lizzy Mitchell is averaging .349 with four runs on 15 hits for six RBI. Lana Loyd is the leading pitcher for the Hawks and has a 3-3 record with one complete game in 11 appearances. She holds a 5.73 ERA with 18 strikeouts, five walks and allowed 53 hits for 32 runs over 29.1 innings pitched.
Following the series with Shorter, Valdosta State is set to six-straight home games next week, beginning with a single matchup with Barry on Tuesday, Mar. 7 at 4 p.m.
