NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Valdosta State softball team saw its bats come alive on Friday afternoon in a doubleheader sweep of Trevecca Nazarene in the Gulf South Conference opener for both teams.  The Blazers battled back from a 2-0 deficit plating seven runs over the final three innings of the opener for a 7-4 win and then scored nine runs over the last three innings of the nightcap for an 11-1 victory. 

VSU scored 18 runs on 23 hits in the two games and blasted seven home runs, including six round-trippers in the second game, highlighting the doubleheader.  The Blazers improved to 6-6 on the year and 2-0 in Gulf South Conference play, while TNU fell to 4-2 and 0-2 in conference play.  VSU goes for the sweep of the Trojans tomorrow beginning at 12 p.m. ET in the finale of the three-game set.

 
VALDOSTA STATE 7, TREVECCA NAZARENE 4 (GAME ONE)

The Valdosta State softball team used a four-run seventh inning to capture game one of a doubleheader against Trevecca Nazarene, earning a 7-4 victory Friday.

Valdosta State tallied 13 hits in the contest and received a complete-game effort from Savannah Barfield in the circle to secure the opening-game win.  The Blazers threatened early in the first inning, loading the bases behind a walk from senior Saylor McNearney, a single from junior Annalise Buncy, and another walk by senior Evie Pitts. However, Trevecca escaped the jam to keep the game scoreless.

Valdosta State continued to put runners aboard in the second and third innings, highlighted by a senior Carly Bogart double and consecutive singles from junior Alyssa Vallad and Pitts, but the Trojans' defense held firm.

Trevecca broke through in the bottom of the third. After a hit-by-pitch and a passed ball moved a runner into scoring position, senior Kyleigh Burgett delivered an RBI single, and freshman Annalise Mecklenburg followed with another run-scoring single to give the Trojans a 2-0 lead.

Valdosta State evened the score in the top of the fifth inning, taking advantage of defensive miscues. Pitts reached on an error to begin the frame, and sophomore Krisley Arnold doubled to left field to bring her home. Later in the inning, Bogart reached on another Trevecca error, allowing Arnold to score and tying the game at 2-2.

In the sixth inning, McNearney provided a spark, launching a solo home run to give the Blazers their first lead of the afternoon at 3-2. Trevecca quickly answered in the bottom half with a single and sacrifice bunt, while senior Brianna Asmondy connected on a two-run homer to put the Trojans back in front, 4-3.

Trailing by one entering the final inning, the Blazers delivered their biggest offensive burst of the day. Pitts opened the inning with a single and advanced to second on the throw. Arnold followed with a single to put runners at the corners.

Sophomore Chloe Eichelberger came in as a pinch hitter then delivered a clutch two-RBI single to center field, scoring Pitts and Arnold to give Valdosta State a 5-4 advantage. Bogart followed with another single, and junior Cailyn Cooke executed a sacrifice bunt to move runners into scoring position. Senior Jayme Prandine then came through with a two-RBI single to center field, extending the lead to 7-4.  Five different Blazers had multi-hit games in the opener as McNearney was 2 for 4 with a run scored, a home run, a walk and one RBI.  Pitts was 2 of 3 with two runs scored and a walk.

Barfield (3-1) earned the win with a complete-game performance, allowing six hits and four earned runs while striking out three over seven innings. She threw 94 pitches and retired the Trojans in order in the bottom of the seventh to close out the victory.

 
VALDOSTA STATE 11, TREVECCA NAZARENE 1 (GAME TWO)

Valdosta State exploded for 11 runs on ten hits, including six home runs, and received a complete-game performance from freshman Giselle Portanova in the circle to secure the victory.

The Blazers struck first in the second inning. After sophomore Krisley Arnold worked a walk, Bogart launched a two-run home run to give VSU a 2-0 lead. Trevecca responded in the bottom half of the inning when sophomore Shay Hollingsworth connected on a solo home run to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Valdosta State answered in the fifth as McNearney blasted a solo home run to extend the lead to 3-1.  Once again, late-inning production was key as Blazers put the game out of reach in the sixth inning. Eichelberger led off with a solo home run to center field. After Bogart singled and pinch hitter Daniela David drew a walk and Cooke crushed a three-run home run to left center, stretching the lead to 7-1.

Valdosta State continued its offensive barrage in the seventh inning. Prandine opened the frame with a solo home run, and Buncy followed with a double. Eichelberger struck again with a two-run homer to center, pushing the advantage to 10-1. Later in the inning, Bogart doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly from senior Rachel Lee, capping the four-run inning and giving the Blazers an 11-1 lead.

Five different Blazers hit home runs in the game led by Eichelberger with two home runs, while Buncy and Bogart each had doubles.  Bogart finished the game 3 for 4 with two runs scored, three RBI, a double and a home run. 

Portanova (1-1) delivered a complete-game performance, allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out two across seven innings. She threw 80 pitches and limited Trevecca to just one extra-base hit, working efficiently to close out the contest.