OXFORD, Ala. – The No. 5-seed Valdosta State softball team dropped a 5-0 decision in its first game of the 2025 Gulf South Conference Championship to No. 4-seed Alabama Huntsville Wednesday afternoon. 
 
The Blazers fell to 26-24 overall and will play the loser of No. 1-seed Auburn Montgomery versus No. 8-seed Trececca Nazarene on Thursday at 1:30 p.m., in an elimination game.  UAH improved to 27-20 overall and will await the winner of the AUM/Trevecca game Thursday.
 
Following a 40-minute lighting delay just before first pitch, the Blazers used a single from junior Charlotte Phillips, followed by a walk to senior Aniston Gano and a walk to junior Rachael Lee to load the bases with one out.  After a 20-minute delay due to rain, the Blazers hit into a double play to end the inning.
 
In the bottom of the third, UAH began the frame with five-straight singles scoring two runs.  The Blazers then turned a double play and a fly out ended the frame.   UAH added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth on a double from Lawren Hayes for a 4-0 lead.
 
UAH added one more run in the fifth for a 5-0 lead.  Blazer graduate student Claire Maulding (20-15) took the loss in three innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs.  Senior Madison Lumpp pitched 1.2 innings, allowing five hits, three runs and two earned. Senior Savannah Barfield pitched the final 1.1 innings. 
 
For the Chargers, Katie Bracken (13-10) pitched all seven innings, allowing one hit, while walking five and striking out six. Hayes went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI.