VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State softball team fought valiantly, but came up just short in an 8-6 loss in the rubber-match of a three-game, Gulf South Conference series versus No. 12 Trevecca Nazarene Sunday at Steel's Diamond. 
 
The Blazers fell to 6-10 overall and 2-3 in GSC play, while TNU improved to 11-4 overall and 2-4 in GSC play.  Six runs by the Trojans in the first two innings proved costly, but the Blazers kept fighting and pulled within two on two occasions.  VSU had six runs on eight hits with one costly error, while TNU had eight runs on ten hits.  Just as yesterday saw 13 home runs between the two teams, Sunday had five dingers overall with three from TNU and home runs from junior Saylor McNearney and senior Carly Bogart.  McNearney finished the game 2 for 4 with two runs scored, a double, home run and two RBI.  Senior Aniston Gano was 2 for 4 with a run scored and one RBI.
 
Two hit batters and a pair of passed balls plated one run, but Blazer graduate pitcher Claire Maulding worked out of the jam without further damage leaving one TNU runner stranded at third.  In the bottom of the inning, McNearney doubled to the fence with one out and, on a 3-2 count, Gano laced a single to left center plating McNearney for a 1-1 score.
 
TNU's Maddie Poschke began the top of the second with a solo home run to center for a 2-1 Trojan lead.  A single up the middle followed and then an error on a sacrifice bunt, followed by two more sacrifice bunts plating another run and then the fifth home run of the series by Brianna Asmondy for a 6-1 score.
 
The Blazers began the bottom of the third with a solo home run from senior Brandie Seber, her first of the season for a 6-2 deficit.  Following a single to left, McNearney blasted her fourth home run of the season – a two run shot to right field for a 6-4 deficit. 
 
With a 3-2 count and two out in the top of the fourth, TNU hit its third home run of the game, this time pitcher Ashlan Sensing, for a two run shot and an 8-4 lead.  VSU responded in kind with its third home run of the game as Bogart hit a two run shot to center putting VSU within 8-6 in the bottom of the fifth.
 
A single and walk began the top of the sixth for the Trojans and a walk to Asmondy loaded the bases with nobody out.  Two fielder's choices with outs at the plate followed.  Blazer senior relieve Savannah Barfield had an 0-2 count to Poschke and got her to line out to right to get out of the bases loaded jam.
 
Sophomore Toree Wofford singled through the left side to begin the inning.  A sacrifice bunt moved junior pinch-runner Evie Pitts to second as Sensing went over 100 pitches for the game.  A ground out and a strikeout ended the threat. 
 
VSU had one last chance in the bottom of the seventh with the top of the order due.  TNU right fielder Kylie Chetakian made a diving save in foul territory for the first out.  Sensing got a strikeout to McNearney for the second out. 
 
Maulding (4-6) took the loss going four innings, allowing six hits, eight runs – three earned, walked one and fanned six.  Barfield allowed four hits and walked two over the final three innings.  Sensing (7-2) allowed eight hits, six earned runs, walked one and fanned five.
 
The Blazers return to action at Alabama Huntsville in a three game series, Mar. 1-2.