VALDOSTA, Ga. -  The Valdosta State softball team split a doubleheader with visiting West Florida on Saturday for Senior Day to conclude the 2025 regular season.  VSU won the opener, 4-1, while UWF won the rubber-match in eight innings, 3-2.
 
VSU finishes the regular season 26-23 overall and 19-13 in Gulf South Conference play, while West Florida is 33-15 and went 22-11 in league play.  Both teams qualified for the Gulf South Conference Championships, scheduled for Apr. 30 – May 3 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala.  Check back with vstateblazers.com to see who and when the Blazers will be playing. 
 
Prior the twin bill, VSU honored four seniors playing in their final regular season home games in a Blazer uniform.  The 2025 Senior Class included; Aniston Gano, Madison Lumpp, Claire Maulding and Brandie Seber.  VSU Athletics wishes each of these seniors the best of luck in their future endeavors.
 
VALDOSTA STATE 4, WEST FLORIDA 1 (GAME ONE)
Following a disappointing 3-0 loss to UWF in the series opener on Friday, the Blazers came out with renewed vigor Saturday as UWF had a chance early to score, but a great play at home as Gianna Guerrero was out at home with a great tag by Seber preventing a run. 
 
VSU left two stranded in the bottom of the first and then loaded the bases in the bottom of the second, but were unable to score.  VSU would breakthrough in the bottom of the third as freshman Krisley Arnold singled to center, plating a run for a 1-0 lead.  In the bottom of the fourth, junior Saylor McNearney doubled to right center to begin the frame and junior Charlotte Phillips doubled McNearney home for a 2-0 lead.  Later in the frame, junior Rachael Lee singled to left, plating Phillips for a 3-0 lead.
 
The Blazers made the score 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth with an infield single and error plating McNearney, while Maulding continued her strong outing in the circle retiring 12-straight from the second inning through the fifth.
In the top of the sixth, Guerrero singled for the Argos' first hit since the first inning with two away and she then stole second and scored on a Angelia Discenzo RBI single for a 4-1 score.  Maulding retired the Argos in order in the seventh for the 4-1 win. 
 
Phillips went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI, while McNearney was 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored.  Maulding (20-13) went the distance, allowing four hits, one earned run, no walks and four strikeouts.  UWF pitcher Hannah Harper (11-6) took the loss going six innings, allowing 11 hits, four runs – three earned, walked three and fanned four.
 
WEST FLORIDA 3, VALDOSTA STATE 2 (8) (GAME TWO)
Guerriero began the nightcap with a solo home run to begin the game for a 1-0 lead.  In the bottom of the frame, Seber singled to center and Gano blasted her 17th home run of the season for a 2-1 lead and her 63rd home run of her career breaking a tie for second all-time in GSC history.  UWF loaded the bases in the second with one out, but Lumpp came back with two big fly outs to left field to end the threat. 
 
In the top of the fourth, Emma Brice singled to left and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt.  Bella Holliday singled to right for runners at the corners as Kyndal Cornelius reached on a fielder's choice plating a run for 2-2 score.  Lumpp got a fielder's choice out and a fly out to end the threat. 
 
The Blazers loaded the bases in the fifth with two out on an infield single from Seber, double from Phillips and a walk to Gano, but were unable to score as Guerriero made a great catch in center at the wall to end the threat as VSU left the bags full.
 
UWF put two on, but the Blazer "D" stood tall with a caught stealing and a nice play at second with a fielder's choice thwarting the scoring chance.  In the top of the seventh, Lumpp retired the first batter of the inning and left to a strong ovation from the Blazer fans for one of her best outings of the season.  Maulding entered and fanned Neveah Hayes for the second out and Brianna Jennings was out leaving early from first. 
 
With a chance for a walk-off, Seber reached on an error and moved to second, but Guffey got the third out sending the game to extra-innings.
 
UWF's Hannah Harper began the top of the eighth with a solo home run to right and Emma Brice doubled to left.  Maulding worked out of the jam without further damage.  In the bottom of the seventh, Gano walked to begin the frame and Bogart laid down a bunt, but it was popped up and not caught. 
 
Junior pinch-runner Evie Pitts was out at second for a fielder's choice due to her not knowing initially whether the ball would be caught or not.  Lee walked for two on.  Following a fly out to right field, junior Jayme Prandine sent a deep shot to center, but Guerriero was there at the fence and another great catch robbing the Blazers of the win. 
 
Seber went 2 for 4 with a run scored, while Gano was 1 for 2 with a run scored, a home run and two RBI.  Lumpp went 6.1 innings, allowing nine hits, two earned runs, walked two and fanned two.  Maulding (20-14) took the loss in 1.2 innings, allowing two hits, one earned run and fanned one.
 
Guffey (22-7) went eight innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs, walked five and fanned five.  Harper finished 2 for 4 with a home run, and one RBI, while Guerriero was 1 for 4 with a home run.