CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Valdosta State softball team stretched its wining streak to six games with an 8-5 and a 10-4 doubleheader sweep at Delta State Friday afternoon.  The Blazers improved to 13-11 overall and 9-4 in Gulf South Conference play, while DSU fell to 9-10 overall and 5-8 in league play. 
 
VALDOSTA STATE 8, DELTA STATE 5 (GAME ONE)
The Blazers got things started in the first game of the twin bill with an infield single from junior Saylor McNearney and she stole second.  Junior Rachael Lee hit a home run to center field for her third home run of the season and a 2-0 lead.  In the third, a fielder's choice put freshman Krisley Arnold at first base and junior Charlotte Phillips belted her fourth home run of the season for a 4-0 lead. 
 
The home run theme continued in the fourth as senior Brandie Seber singled to right and Lee singled to left center with one out as senior Aniston Gano hit her sixth home run of the season, plating three runs for a 7-0 lead. 
 
VSU had a chance to score in the top of the fifth for its eighth run with a leadoff single from junior Jayme Prandine and a sacrifice bunt moved her to second followed by a walk, but DSU reliever Grace Pippin got out of the jam with a fly out to left and a pop out to end the threat.  In the bottom of the frame, Blazer graduate student Claire Maulding retired the first two batter, but a single and an error put runners at the corners as Abbi Cataldo singled through the left side for a 7-1 score.  A walk followed, but Maulding got Bailey Way to ground out as the Lady Statesmen left the bags full.
 
In the sixth, VSU got the run back as Bogart blasted her team-leading seventh home run of the season to right field for an 8-1 lead.  In the bottom of the frame, Emma Collier began the frame with a home run to deep right for an 8-2 score.   Maulding came up with her fifth strikeout of the game for one out.  A hit batter put two on for the Lady Statesmen with one out.  A walk loaded the bases for DSU for the second-straight inning.  Calli McConnell singled home two runs for an 8-4 score.  Another walk, the third free pass of the game issued by Maulding loaded the bases, once again as VSU made a move to the bullpen in favor of senior Savannah Barfield.  Barfield got out of the jam with a fielder's choice as DSU left the bags full once again sending the game to the seventh.
A hit batter began the bottom of the seventh and a wild pitch from Barfield moved the runner to second.  Barfield got the first two outs via strikeout as the runner advanced to third.  A fielding error plated the fifth run of the game for DSU marking the second error of the contest by the Blazers.  On an 0-2 count to Mary Teague, she flew out to center ending the game and the fifth-straight victory for VSU. 
 
The Blazers finished the opener with eight runs on 12 hits and two errors, while DSU had five runs on seven hits and no errors.  VSU belted four home runs in the game as Lee was 2 for 5 with two runs scored, two RBI and a home run.  Bogart finished 2 for 3 with a run scored, a walk and a home run, while Gano was 2 for 3 with a run scored, three RBI and a home run.  Maulding improved to 10-6 on the year going 5.2 innings, allowing seven hits, four runs – three earned, walked three and fanned five.  Barfield picked up her second save of the season, going 1.1 innings, allowing one unearned run with two strikeouts. 
 
VALDOSTA STATE 10, DELTA STATE 4 (GAME TWO)
In the nightcap, Lee hit a one out double to left center and a walk to Gano put two on for the Blazers. A fielder's choice followed and Arnold singled to left for a 1-0 lead.  DSU evened the game in the bottom of the inning with a Kyleigh Wheaton RBI single to center for a 1-1 score.
 
DSU took its first lead of the series in the bottom of the second as VSU left two stranded in the top half.  A double to right center from Mattie Granberry and then Rylee Leonard singled up the middle for a 2-1 score.  Barfield navigated two runners in scoring position to prevent further damage.
 
The Blazers plated four runs in the top of the third as Bogart hit her second home run of the twin bill and a bases loaded walk for sophomore Daniela David, along with a two RBI single from Seber gave VSU a 5-2 lead.  The Lady Statesmen added a run in the bottom of the inning for a 5-3 score through three frames.
 
In the fourth Gano walked to begin the inning and a miscue on the Lady Statesmen plated the first run, while junior Charlotte Phillips hit a sacrifice fly for a 7-3 lead. David then hit her first home run as a Blazer – a to run shot to center for a 9-3 score.  VSU tacked on another run as McNearney doubled to right center for a 10-3 score.  DSU tacked on a run in the bottom of the fifth for a 10-4 score for the final score.
 
For the game, VSU scored ten runs on 13 hits with one error, while DSU had four runs on eight hits and two errors.  David was 1 for 3 with a run scored, three RBI and a home run along with two walks, while Seber was 3 for 4 with two RBI and Arnold was 3 for 3 with two runs scored one RBI and a walk. 
 
The Blazers and Lady Statesmen will conclude the three-game series Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.