HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- The No. 9 Valdosta State softball team dropped a pair of games in a Gulf South Conference series doubleheader on Saturday Afternoon at No. 5 Alabama Huntsville. The Blazers fell in a narrow 2-1 loss in the first game of the afternoon before losing the second game, 8-0 in six innings.  

The Blazers dropped to 32-8 overall and are 18-5 in GSC play. The Chargers improved to 35-7 overall and 20-2 in conference play. 

GAME #1: #5 Alabama Huntsville 2, #9 Valdosta State 1 
The first game of the series was a clear defensive contest from the start. Both teams combined for only four hits through the first four innings as VSU senior pitcher Samantha Richards and UAH pitcher Megan Shurtz were pitching lights out.  

In the bottom of the fifth the Chargers struck first with a solo home run to go up 1-0. UAH then strung together a few base hits to add another run, making the score 2-0. However, the Blazers answered back in the top of the sixth as junior Kinzie Nelson smashed a homer to left in a resilient at-bat to cut the UAH lead to one, 2-1. The Blazer attempted to make up the tying run in the final at-bats of the game but fell just short by the end of the seventh inning. UAH ended up taking game one in a tough 2-1 loss for the Blazers. 

In six total innings, Richards recorded seven strikeouts, two walks and seven hits for two runs in her 24^th complete game and fourth loss of the season (23-4). At the dish for the Blazers, Nelson delivered the only run for the Blazers on a deep homer to left, earning Guardian Bank Player of the Game honors. 

GAME #2: #5 Alabama Huntsville 8, #9 Valdosta State 0 
UAH struck first, tallying three runs on a string of hits and a Blazer miscue as the Chargers led 3-0 at the end of the first inning. Alabama Huntsville then added three more runs in the bottom of the third on a home run, a couple of base hits and a sacrifice fly as the UAH lead grew to 6-0. In the bottom of the fourth, the Chargers tacked on an RBI single for another run, 7-0. 

The Blazers offense fought hard, getting runners on base in the fourth through sixth innings, but were unable to convert any runs. In the bottom of the sixth, with the bases loaded, the Chargers hit a single to end the game behind the eight-run rule. UAH took game two, 8-0, winning the series. 

Sophomore Madison Lumpp and sophomore Savannah Barfield took the circle in game two as Lumpp was credited with her first loss of the season (7-1). Lumpp and Barfield combined for two strikeouts, four walks and allowed sixteen hits for eight runs. At the plate, Macera recorded one hit on a double to earn Guardian Bank Player of the Game honors. 

The Blazers will face the Chargers in the series finale on Sunday, April 16 at 1 p.m. For streaming, live stats, rosters and all things Valdosta State softball, visit vstateblazers.com.