GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Valdosta State softball team dropped a pair of games against two ranked foes on Saturday at the Gulf Shores Sports Complex.  Top-ranked North Georgia won 4-2, while No. 18 Saint Leo won 10-4. 
 
The Blazers will close out the first weekend of play on Sunday at 11 a.m. ET against No. 5-ranked Nova Southeastern.  VSU did turn its first triple play in the coaching career of head coach Thomas Macera against Saint Leo. 
 
#1 NORTH GEORGIA 4, VALDOSTA STATE 2 (GAME ONE)
A collision in the outfield off a three bagger from Mariah Wicker and an over throw at third plated Wicker for the Nighthawks in the bottom of the first inning.  In the top of the second, senior Katie Proctor singled to left with one away for the first Blazer hit of the game.  VSU then loaded the bases, but UNG hurler Kristen Davis came back with her third strikeout of the game to end the threat.
 
In the bottom of the second, VSU graduate student Nadia Zenteno struck out the side.  Graduate student Morgan Hill laced a double to left field with one away, but a pop out to second and a line out to third ended the threat. 
 
UNG put two on with nobody out in the bottom of the fourth.  Zenteno got an infield fly for the first out.  A 3-2 single to right by pinch-hitter Madison Simmons loaded the bases.  A big strikeout for Zenteno, her fourth, for the second out followed, but on a 2-2 count, Gracie Mixon doubled down the left field line, clearing the bags for a 4-0 score. 
 
An error and back-to-back singles loaded the bases for the Blazers in the top of the sixth and nobody out.  A hit batsmen plated the first run of the game for VSU and a pitching change by UNG.  VSU was unable to cut the deficit any further as Sophie Mooney got out of the jam with a pop out, fielder's choice and a strikeout as VSU left the bags full for the second time in the game.
 
Hill began the top of the seventh with a solo home run to right center for a 4-2 deficit.  Mooney got the next two outs, but plunked sophomore Jayme Prandine.  A ground out ended the game.  Hill went 2 for 4 with a run scored, one RBI and the home run, while sophomore Saylor McNearney was 2 for 3.  Zenteno (1-1) went six innings, allowing seven hits, four runs – three earned, walked two and fanned six.
 
The Nighthawks were led by Wicker, going 2 for 3 with a run scored, a double and a triple, while Mixon was 1 for 3 with the three RBI double.  Davis improved to 2-0, going five innings, allowing six hits, one unearned run, walked two and fanned four. 
 
#18 SAINT LEO 10, VALDOSTA STATE 4 (GAME TWO)
A two out RBI single from Saint Leo in the top of the second plated the first run of the game.  On a 1-2 count with two out, Caroline Barwick singled home the second run of the inning and 2-0 lead.  Brianna Neal then singled home two runs for a 4-0 lead.  VSU made a call to the bullpen in favor of junior Madison Lumpp.  Back-to-back singles plated the fifth run of the inning as the Lions batted around with all five runs coming with two out.  A two RBI double followed for a 7-0 score.  SLU added a run in the third with two out for an 8-0 lead.
 
Proctor singled for her second hit of the game in the bottom of the fourth putting runners at the corners for VSU with one out.  A wild pitch plated Hill for an 8-1 deficit as she had reached on a walk.  Junior Abby Sulte hit a line-drive home run to left field for an 8-3 deficit. 
 
SLU added a run in the fifth and sixth for a 10-3 lead.  VSU then turned a triple play on a 5362 with runners at second and third to get out of the inning.  VSU added a run in the bottom of the seventh for a 10-4 final score.  Proctor finished the game 2 for 3 with a run scored, while Sulte went 1 for 3 with a run scored and two RBI and a home run.