SAINT AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Valdosta State softball team plated three runs in the top of the 11^th inning and held on in the bottom of the frame for a 5-4 victory in the first game for the Blazers of the Old Coast Classic. 
 
In the 11^th, which marked the longest game in all of Division II this season in terms of innings played, the Blazers used a one out walk and then junior Alyssa Vallad doubled to right, followed by a two RBI double from senior Charlotte Philips for a 4-2 score.  With two out, senior Rachael Lee came up with a big RBI single to center for a 5-2 lead, plating Phillips.  
 
In the bottom of the inning, Flagler used a pair of singles and a fielder's choice for runners at second and third.  A dropped foul ball followed and then Chloe Montalvo reached on a dropped fly ball plating one run for a 5-3 score.  Following a walk and the second out, Emily Ricci singled to center field with the bases loaded scoring one run but, Montalvo rounded third and was gunned down at the plate on a great throw from junior Madison VanAllen to end the game.   
 
Blazer senior Savannah Barfield (2-0) earned the win in relief of Vallad.  Barfield pitched 6.2 innings, allowing five hits, two runs – one earned, walked one and fanned six.  Vallad pitched the first 4.1 innings, surrendering three hits, two earned runs, walked two and fanned two.
 
It marked the first 11-inning game for the Blazers since May 10, 2019, in a 3-2 win over Spring Hill College at the NCAA Regional in Pensacola, Fla.  For this season in the NCAA, there had been three games go ten innings in Division II, but none go 11 until Friday.  
 
VSU improved to 2-5 on the year, while Flagler fell to 0-6.  The Blazers had five runs on 11 hits with seven errors, while Flagler had four runs on eight hits and no errors.  Phillips finished 3 of 5 with two runs scored, two doubles, two RBI and a walk.  VSU had six extra-base hits in the game. 
 
For Flagler, starter Riley Rowe (0-2) took the loss in 10.1 innings, allowing ten hits, five earned runs, walked nine and fanned four.  Alyssa Hunter pitched the final two thirds of the 11^th allowing one hit.  Offensively, Hannah Smith was 2 for 5 with an RBI as the only Saint with multiple hits.
 
Flagler broke open a scoreless game in the third as Smith singled up the middle and advanced to second on an error for a 2-0 lead.  VSU cut the deficit in half in the fourth as senior Jayme Prandine singled to left, plating Phillips for a 2-1 margin.  The Blazers then tied the game in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from VanAllen, plating senior Saylor McNearney who began the inning with a double.  
 
The Blazers had chances to end the game much sooner, but were unable to get the timely hit to score a run as the team left two on in the sixth and seventh, the bases loaded in the eighth and two in the ninth.  Barfield worked out of a two on jam in the tenth with runners at the corners sending the game to the 11^th.
 
VSU continues play in the Old Coast Classic with a game later this evening versus No. 20 Saint Leo, before facing Chowan on Saturday at 10 a.m. and Saint Leo again at 3 p.m.