LIVINGSTON, Ala.- The Valdosta State softball team dropped the opener of a three-game Gulf South Conference series to West Alabama on Saturday evening, 7-5.
 
With the loss, VSU fell to 14-10 overall with a 7-3 mark in GSC play while UWA improved to 14-7 overall with a 5-5 record in conference play.
 
Scoring in the series was kicked off fairly early with West Alabama tacking on the first run in the bottom of the first on a lead-off walk and an RBI double as UWA led 1-0.
 
In the top of the third, the Blazer offense began to rally as sophomore Jasmin Stewart and junior Sierrah Snook tallied back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. VSU was then put in a favorable position as a one out walk gave the Blazers a bases-loaded opportunity. Junior Abby Sulte ended up recording the first RBI for Valdosta State in the matchup on a sacrifice fly to tie the game up at 1-1.
 
The Tigers answered right back in the bottom of the third, racking up three runs on a Blazer error and four hits including a pair of doubles to take the lead back, 4-1. UWA added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth on back-to-back home runs to build its lead to five, 6-1.
 
In the top of the sixth, the Blazers started to strike back as junior Carly Bogart crushed her seventh home run of the year on a solo shot to pull VSU a bit closer, 6-2. Later in the inning, Valdosta State managed to get a runner on just before sophomore Saylor McNearney sliced a double down the right field line. With two Blazers in scoring position, Jasmin Stewart blasted her first home run of the year on a three-run shot to put the Blazers right back in the contest at 6-5.
 
West Alabama ended up adding another run in the bottom of the sixth on a solo home run while Valdosta State was not able to get anything to go its way offensively in the top of the seventh. VSU ended up falling in the first game of the series against UWA, 7-5.
 
Freshman Toree Wofford (5-1) had the start in the circle for VSU, going three innings while allowing four runs on five hits. She walked one batter while tacking on one strikeout. Junior Madison Lumpp finished the game, also going three innings while giving up three runs on six hits. Lumpp finished the contest with four strikeouts and one walk.
 
Jasmin Stewart led the Blazers at the plate, having her best game of the season so far, tallying two hits for two runs and three RBI while launching her first home run of the season on a three-run homer to earn Guardian Bank Player of the Game honors.
 
The Valdosta State softball team will be back in action tomorrow when it closes out the series with West Alabama in a doubleheader. Action kicks off at 1 p.m. ET in Livingston, Ala. For more information on Valdosta State softball, visit vstateblazers.com.