VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State softball team returns to action Sat., Feb. 7, traveling to Dahlonega, Ga., for a nonconference doubleheader against No. 6 North Georgia. First pitch is set for 1 p.m., with game two scheduled for 3:30 p.m., as the Blazers continue an early-season road stretch.

Valdosta State comes into the weekend following a competitive showing at the Gulf Shores Invitational, where the Blazers faced a challenging slate against Spring Hill, No. 18 Rogers State, Northeastern State, and Middle Georgia. Despite opening the tournament with narrow losses, Valdosta State showed steady improvement throughout the weekend, highlighted by a come-from-behind 8–7 walk-off victory over Middle Georgia to close the event on a high note last Sunday.

In the tournament finale, the Blazers erased multiple deficits and delivered timely offense late. Senior Jayme Prandine paced the lineup with a standout performance, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs, including the game-tying double and the eventual winning run in the bottom of the seventh. The Blazers finished with 12 hits in the victory and received strong relief pitching from senior Savannah Barfield, who earned the win after retiring the side in the final inning.

Earlier in the tournament, Valdosta State showed flashes of offensive production against Northeastern State, jumping out to an early 3–0 lead behind extra-base hits from senior Saylor McNearney and senior Charlotte Phillips before a six-run third inning swung momentum the other way in a 7–3 loss. The Blazers also battled Rogers State and Spring Hill in tightly contested games, with pitching depth tested and defensive execution improving as the weekend progressed.

Saturday's matchup against North Georgia presents another opportunity for Valdosta State to carry forward the resilience and late-game confidence built in Gulf Shores. With a doubleheader format demanding consistency in the circle and timely hitting, the Blazers will look to establish momentum early and sustain it throughout the afternoon.

UNG enters with a 2-2 record as it also competed in Gulf Shores last week.  The NightHawks won against Union (4-0) and Delta State (6-0), while dropping an 8-5 decision to Northeastern State and a 2-1 setback versus Florida Tech.

VSU has won five of the last eight in the series against UNG.  The teams last met in Gulf Shores in 2024, with UNG winning 4-2.  The Blazers won 3-1 in Gulf Shores in 2022. The last times the teams played in Dahlonega was on Mar. 12-13, 2011, with the teams splitting two games. 

Following the series at UNG, the Blazers continue on the road at the Old Coast Classic, Feb. 14-15 in Saint Augustine, Fla., and then open Gulf South Conference play at Trevecca Nazarene on Feb. 21-22, before opening the 2026 home slate Feb. 28-Mar. 1 at Steel's Diamond at Blazer Park versus The University of Alabama in Huntsville.