DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Valdosta State softball team dropped a doubleheader at No. 6 North Georgia on Saturday, losing the first game 14-6 in five innings and the second 17-8 in six innings.  VSU fell to 1-5 on the year, while UNG improved to 4-2.  
 
The Blazers continue on the road next week as they travel to the Old Coast Classic in Saint Augustine, Fla., facing Flagler, Saint Leo and Chowan, Feb. 14-15. 
 
#6 NORTH GEORGIA 14, VALDOSTA STATE 6 (GAME ONE)
Valdosta State senior Saylor McNearney began the game with a home run to right field for a 1-0 lead.  North Georgia brought 11 players to the plate in the bottom of the first scoring eight runs on seven hits and one Blazer miscues.  Ava Lunsford used a three RBI double to left center and Morgan Martin hit a two RBI single highlighting the frame.
 
Blazer senior Rachael Lee belted a two run home run in the top of the second for an 8-3 score.  UNG scored five runs on five hits in the bottom of the third for a 13-3 score, but the Blazers continued to fight and McNearney hit her second home run of the game – this time a three-run shot to center for a 13-6 score in the top of the fourth.  The NightHawks added a run in the bottom of the fourth for a 14-6 lead as the Blazers didn't score in the fifth for the run-rule decision. 
 
McNearney finished the game 3 for 3 with two runs scored and four RBI on a double and two home runs, while Lee was 1 for 3 with a run scored, two RBI and a home run.  UNG had four players with multi-hit games.  Blazer junior starter Toree Wofford took the loss (0-2).  
 
#6 NORTH GEORGIA 17, VALDOSTA STATE 8 (GAME TWO)
In the nightcap, the Blazers once again jumped out to an early lead, plating three runs in the first inning continuing the home run theme as junior Alyssa Vallad blasted a three run shot to left center for a 3-0 lead.  The NightHawks plated five runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by a three run shot from Kayla Berry for a 5-3 lead.  VSU got out of the inning without further damage as UNG left the bags full.
 
VSU used back-to-back hits in the second as sophomore Charlotte Phillips doubled home three runs in the second and Vallad singled home a run for a 7-5 lead.  UNG tied the game at seven with a passed ball and a wild pitch scoring runs for a 7-7 score.  The NightHawks then took the lead in the third courtesy of an error by the Blazers for an 8-7 score.  
 
The NightHawks added three runs in the fifth for an 11-7 score, while the Blazers scratched across a run in the top of the sixth as junior Annalise Buncy singled to center, plating McNearney for an 11-8 deficit.  UNG then scored six runs on four hits and two VSU errors in the bottom of the inning for a 17-8 score and a run-rule game. 
 
McNearney finished 2 for 3 with three runs scored and a walk to lead the Blazers, while Vallad was 2 for 2 with a run scored, a home run and four RBI.  McNearney finished the doubleheader 5 for 6 with five runs scored, four RBI, two home runs and a double.