GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Valdosta State softball team split two games on Sunday earning its first win of the season, losing to Northeastern State (Okla.) 7-3 and responding with an 8-7 win over Middle Georgia. 

NORTHEASTERN STATE 7, VALDOSTA STATE 3

The Blazers got off to a good start against the RiverHawks plating a run in each of the first three innings and looked poised to secure their first win of the season, before NSU plated a crooked number in the third with six runs on five hits.  NSU then added another run in the bottom of the fourth for the final margin. 

VSU took its first lead of the season with a sophomore Krisley Arnold sacrifice fly in the first, followed by a leadoff triple from senior Charlotte Phillips in the second and she scored on a ground out from senior Rachael Lee in the second.  In the third, senior Saylor McNearney blasted a home run for a 3-0 advantage.  McNearney finished 2 for 2 with two runs scored, a double, a home run and a stolen base.

The RiverHawks (4-0) sent ten batters to the plate in the third with the five hits, two walks and two wild pitches.  Madison Nance delivered the key blow with a two-run single to left field, and Ashlynn Turner followed with a two-run double. A run also scored on a wild pitch, and Jayln Fourkille added an RBI single as the RiverHawks turned a three-run deficit into a 6–3 advantage. 

Valdosta State continued to battle at the plate but was unable to generate a late rally. The Blazers managed just one hit over the final four innings, with McNearney doubling in the fifth to briefly threaten before the RiverHawks shut the door defensively.

In the circle, freshman Giselle Portanova worked six innings for Valdosta State, allowing 11 hits and five earned runs while striking out three. Northeastern State starter Cameron Kimball allowed three runs in three innings before Jensyn Elder earned the win by tossing four scoreless innings in relief, limiting the Blazers to one hit over the final four frames.  Offensively, Valdosta State finished with five hits, including extra-base hits from McNearney, Phillips, junior Annalise Buncy, and junior Payton Parkes. Northeastern State collected 11 hits and swiped five bases in the contest.

 
VALDOSTA STATE 8, MIDDLE GEORGIA 7

Valdosta State softball capped off a dramatic afternoon with a walk-off 8-7 victory, overcoming multiple deficits and scoring twice in the bottom of the seventh to secure its first win of the season.

Valdosta State (1-3) collected 12 hits and erased a three-run deficit in the final inning, while Middle Georgia (1-3) stranded nine runners despite also tallying 12 hits in the contest.

The Knights struck first with a three-run opening inning. After Cassidy Ross doubled to lead off the game, Jenna Kirkland drove in the first run with a single to right field. MGA added two more runs later in the inning on a two-run single by Torrey Cummings, taking an early 3–0 lead.

The Blazers responded immediately in the bottom of the first as McNearney singled to center and later scored on an RBI groundout by sophomore Chloe Eichelberger, trimming the deficit to 3-1.

Valdosta State took control in the second inning with a five-run outburst. Arnold sparked the rally with a double, and senior Carly Bogart followed with a single before stealing second. Senior Jayme Prandine then delivered an early blow, launching a three-run home run to give the Blazers a 4-3 advantage. Later in the inning, Annalise Buncy drove in two more runs with a single to right field, pushing the lead to 6-3.

MGA cut into the lead in the fifth inning when Mel Bullock connected on a solo home run to make it 6-4. The Knights continued to pressure the Blazers' defense, tying the game in the top of the seventh with a three-run inning. RBI singles from Madison Cosgrove and Kaylee Oliver, along with a run scoring on a fielder's choice, gave Middle Georgia a 7-6 lead.

Facing their final at-bat, the Blazers mounted one last rally as Lee doubled to left field to put the tying run in scoring position.  Junior Alyssa Vallad hit an infield single.  Prandine delivered again, drilling an RBI double to center knotting the game at 7-7.  Junior Cailyn Cooke came up with the winner, with a fielder's choice RBI as Vallad crossed the plate for the walk-off run.

Prandine led the Blazers offensively, finishing 3 for 4 with a home run, two doubles, and four RBI. McNearney finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored, while Buncy added two RBI. Lee, Arnold, and Bogart each contributed extra-base hits as Valdosta State finished with eight runs on 12 hits.

The Blazers return to action next Saturday as they play a doubleheader at North Georgia beginning at 1 p.m. in Dahlonega, Ga.