VALDOSTA, Ga. – Behind a one-hit performance from Valdosta State graduate pitcher Claire Maulding, the Blazer softball team blanked visiting No. 22 West Alabama 10-0 in five innings to sweep the season series Saturday afternoon. 
 
Maulding walked two and fanned six as she improved to 9-6 on the year, while winning all three games this weekend with 24 strikeouts between the three games. Not to be outdone, the Blazer offense came to play Saturday, blasting three home runs – two by senior Carly Bogart and one from junior Charlotte Phillips.  Bogart finished 2 for 3 from the dish with the two dingers, two runs scored and five RBI.  She was the only player with a multi-hit game. 
 
The Blazers improved to 11-11 overall this season and 7-4 in Gulf South Conference play, while UWA fell to 14-9 overall and 7-5 in GSC play.  VSU returns to the road next week as it travels to Delta State for a three-game series, Mar. 15-16 in Cleveland, Miss.
 
A walk and a hit batter began the top of the first for the Tigers, followed by a sacrifice bunt for runners at second and third with one out.  Maulding then settled down and dominated the rest of the way.  She got an infield pop out for the second out and a line out to second got the Blazers out of the early jam.  In the bottom of the first, two walks and a stolen base put a runner at third with one out for the Blazers.  Bogart hit a 2-2 count blast to left field for a 3-0 lead and her fifth home run of the season. 
 
Maulding retired eight in a row following the first two batters of the game for two out in the top of the third before a hit batter put a runner on for the Tigers.  She then tallied her third strikeout of the game for the final out of the inning.  A leadoff hit batter began the bottom of the third and an error on the Tigers put runners at first and second with nobody out.  UWA pitcher Madison Wright came up with her second strikeout of the game for one out in the inning.  On a 2-2 count with two out, Phillips golfed her fourth home run of the season to left field and a 6-0 lead. 
 
UWF's Taylor Clegg began the top of the fourth with a single to the left side for the first hit of the game for the Tigers.  Clegg stole second, but Maulding came back with her fourth strikeout of the game for the first out.  A great diving catch in foul territory from senior catcher Brandie Seber got the second out with runners at second and third.  Maulding fanned pinch-hitter Riley Dismukes for the third out of the frame.
 
VSU used an error and a hit batter, followed by a great sacrifice bunt from junior Rachael Lee as she killed the ball right in front of the plate.  Senior Aniston Gano then belted a two run single to center for an 8-0 lead.  Bogart went deep for the second time in the game and a 10-0 lead. 
 
Maulding retired the Tigers in order in the fifth for the run-rule victory.