MONTGOMERY, Ala. – An RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning plated the winning run as Valdosta State dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 decision at No. 5 Auburn Montgomery Saturday in the rubber-match of a three-game series. 
 
The Blazers had chances for a big series win at No. 5 Auburn Montgomery and held a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning behind another strong outing from graduate student pitcher Claire Maulding, but left nine runners on base and the bases loaded twice with just one run to show for it.
 
Maulding (18-8) went 7.2 innings, allowing nine hits, two earned runs and one strikeout with no walks.  VSU had four hits for the game and junior Jayme Prandine hit a sacrifice fly for the only run of the game by the Blazers.  VSU fell to 23-15 overall and 16-7 in Gulf South Conference play, while AUM improved to 26-9 and 17-7 in league play.
 
Warhawk pitcher Reese Cauley pitched all eight innings, allowing four hits, one earned run, walked five and fanned three improving to 13-3 this season.  The Warhawks were led by Chloe Baynes and Rebecca Komers each were 3 for 4 from the plate.  Komers had a triple and scored a run and drove in the winning run in the eighth, plating Baynes.
 
The Blazers loaded the bases in the top of the second with a pair of walks and a senior Brandie Seber single, but Cauley came back with a big strikeout to end the threat.  Maulding worked around two on in the bottom of the third and both in scoring position with a pair of line outs to preserve the 0-0 score.  She also thwarted the Warhawks in the fourth as they left two more on base.
 
In the sixth, senior Aniston Gano began the frame with a walk and junior Carly Bogart singled up the middle and freshman Krisley Arnold singled up the middle for runners at second and third.  Prandine hit a sacrifice fly to left, plating the first run of the game.  A hit batter loaded the bases, but Cauley came back with another strikeout to end the threat.
 
Coming down to the bottom of the eighth, Baynes singled and stole second, before the first out.  Komers then singled to left center on a 0-2 pitch for the winner.
 
The Blazers return home to host a doubleheader against Embry-Riddle at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, before hosting Lee next Friday and Saturday for an important three-game GSC series. The Blazers and the Flames begin with a single game on Friday, Apr. 11 at 5 p.m. at Steel's Diamond and a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.