CLEVELAND, Miss. – A solo home run by senior Aniston Gano in the top of the seventh gave VSU a 3-2 lead as graduate pitcher Claire Maulding retired the Lady Statesmen of Delta State in order in the bottom of the seventh for the series sweep and the seventh-straight victory for Valdosta State.    
 
VSU improved to 14-11 overall and 10-4 in Gulf South Conference play, while Delta State fell to 9-11 overall and 5-9 in league play.  VSU had three runs on six hits for the game, while Delta State had two runs on nine hits and one error.  Maulding improved to 11-6 on the year going all seven innings, allowing nine hits, two earned runs, walked three and fanned four.  Six different Blazers had hits as Gano was 1 for 2 with a run scored one RBI and two walks, while junior Saylor McNearney was 1 for 3 with a run scored, one RBI, a home run and a walk. 
 
McNearney began the game with a home run as the Blazers then loaded the bases, but were unable to do further damage.  VSU left two more on in the second and Maulding worked around a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the inning.  In the third, senior Carly Bogart began the frame with a single and freshman Krisley Arnold walked.  Junior Charlotte Phillips was plunked with a pitch as DSU went to the bullpen in favor of Emma Enderud replacing starter Ellie Cox.  Junior Jayme Prandine greeted Enderud with an RBI single up the middle for a 2-0 lead.  VSU would hit into a double play to end the inning.
 
The Lady Statesmen tied the game in the bottom of the fifth with two runs on a pair of RBI singles, but Maulding was able to get out of the inning as DSU left the bags full.  VSU returned the favor with a big double play in the bottom of the sixth and then Gano hit her seventh home run of the season with two away in the top of the seventh for the 3-2 win.
 
Enderud (1-4) took the loss for DSU, pitching the final five innings, allowing two hits, one earned run, walked one and fanned four.
 
The Blazers return home to host Montevallo in a big series at Steel's Diamond at Blazer Park, Mar. 22-23.  The series is scheduled for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Mar. 22 and a single game at 1 p.m. on Mar. 23.