AMERICUS, Ga. –  The Valdosta State softball team scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning in the opener of a doubleheader at Georgia Southwestern Tuesday afternoon for a 5-3 victory.  VSU ran its winning streak to eleven games as it improved to 18-11 overall, while GSW fell to 15-14. 
 
There will be live streaming of the nightcap, but no live stats.  Check back with vstateblazers.com for a complete recap of the game when the statistics are made available.
 
In the opener, the 'Canes jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning as Malone Aldridge singled to center and advanced to second on a passed ball and to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a caught stealing for the third out and a 1-0 lead.
 
The game remained 1-0 until the fourth inning when senior Carly Bogart began the frame with a single through the left side and a sacrifice bunt moved her to second.  A single from junior Charlotte Phillips put runners at the corners and junior Jayme Prandine reached on an error, plating Bogart for a 1-1 score.  A bases loaded walk to junior Saylor McNearney scored the second run of the inning for a 2-1 lead.  
 
VSU added to its lead in the fifth for a 3-1 lead as senior Aniston Gano singled up the middle and Bogart singled to right center, while freshman Krisley Arnold had a sacrifice bunt moving the runners to second and third.  A groundout from Phillips plated pinch-runner junior Evie Pitts. 
 
GSW used a two run home run from Ashlyn Rogers in the bottom of the sixth with one out as Aldridge had a one out single before the round-tripper tying the game at three.  Gano began the top of the seventh with a walk and the second miscue by the 'Canes also proved costly as Bogart reached on the miscue and Gano moved to second.  A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third and Phillips came through with a two RBI double to left for a 5-3 score. 
 
Blazer graduate student Claire Maulding retired GSW in order in the bottom of the seventh as she improved to 14-6 on the year allowing six hits, three runs – two earned, walked one and fanned eight. 
 
VSU finished with five runs on seven hits and no errors, while GSW had three runs on six hits and two errors.  Phillips finished 2 for 4 with a run scored, three RBI and a double, while Bogart was 2 for 4 with two runs scored.  Aldridge was 2 for 3 with two runs scored, while Rogers was 1 for 3 with a run scored and two RBI on the home run.  GSW reliever Graceann Spears (6-7) took the loss in relief of starter Savana Bradford.  Spears went three innings, allowing three hits, three runs – two earned, walked three and fanned two.  GSW allowed three unearned runs in the game.