GULF SHORES, Ala. – Behind a grad slam from junior newcomer Rachael Lee and a strong opening outing in the circle from graduate student Claire Maulding, the Valdosta State softball team opened the 2025 campaign with an 8-0 victory over Spring Hill College Friday evening in five innings.
 
Maulding, a transfer from Florida Gulf Coast, had a fantastic first start for the red and black, scattering three hits, with one walk and fanned eight in her debut, while Lee went 1 for 2 with one run scored and four RBI in her Blazer debut and the grand slam to open the scoring for the Blazers in the second inning.
 
VSU finished the game with eight hits by six different players as junior newcomer Charlotte Phillips went 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored.  Junior Brandie Seber went 2 for 2 with a run scored and two RBI and a steal.  Spring Hill's Taylor Pittman went 2 for 2 for the Badgers, while Leighanna Turk (0-1) took the loss, allowing eight hits, eight earned runs over four innings with three walks and five strikeouts.
 
The Blazers were supposed to play Nova Southeastern also on Friday, but due to rain in Gulf Shores, that game was cancelled.  VSU's games tomorrow now will be at 1:45 p.m. ET versus Oklahoma Christian and 4 p.m. versus Lubbock Christian.  The game versus Lubbock Christian will have live stats and stream on FloCollege. 
 
Maulding retired the Badgers in order in the first and then stranded two Badger base runners in the second as she ultimately struck out the side in the frame.  In the bottom of the second, a single from Phillips began the frame, followed by a walk to Seber and a sacrifice bunt moved Phillips to third.  With two away, Lee blasted the grand slam for a 4-0 lead.
 
VSU tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the third, one on a single from Seber and a bases loaded walk plated the second.  Maulding left two more on base in the fourth, this time at second and third, before the Blazers used RBI singles from senior Carly Bogart and Seber for an 8-0 lead through four innings.  Maulding then struck out the side, once again, this time in order in the fifth for the run-rule victory.
 
Check back with the VSU Softball Facebook page for live updates throughout the games tomorrow and Sunday and vstateblazers.com for complete recaps of the games each day.