VALDOSTA, Ga. – After winning the series with a doubleheader sweep Saturday, the Valdosta State softball team was unable to complete the series sweep with an 11-3 loss Sunday to No. 24 UAH. The Blazers fall to 9-7 (5-1 GSC), while  UAH improve to 18-5 (4-2 GSC).

VSU starter junior Alyssa Vallad quickly retired the first two batters tossing five-straight strikes to begin the game, but followed with three-straight walks to load the bases.  On a 2-2 count, Hannah Temple was plunked with a pitch for a 1-0 lead.  Vallad fanned Kylee Smith to end the inning as UAH left the bags full.   

In the bottom of the first, senior Saylor McNearney doubled off the fence and moved to third on a stolen base.  UAH hurler Megan Shurtz came back with a foul out and a strikeout for two away and got a pop out to end the threat. 

Junior Madison VanAllen relieved Vallad in the second and retired the first two batters and after a review, the Blazers got a stolen base overturned for the runner leaving early to end the inning. Shurtz retired the Blazers with two strikeouts in the second. 

An error and a double put runners at second and third in the third for the Chargers with nobody out.  Alexa Douthitt hit a two RBI single up the middle for a 3-0 lead chasing VanAllen from the game in favor of junior Toree Wofford.  Temple laced an RBI double to right field for a 4-0 lead. 

UAH began the top of the fourth with back-to-back singles and a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third.  Wofford came back with a big strikeout for the second out.  Kylie Ballentine hit a two RBI single for a 6-0 lead.

A leadoff single from junior Annalise Buncy and a two run home run from VanAllen got the Blazers on the board in the bottom of the fourth for a 6-2 deficit and her first round-tripper of the season as a Blazer. 

VSU brought in freshman Maddie Brown to pitch the fifth and the fourth pitcher of the game for the Blazers.  In the bottom of the fifth, senior Rachael Lee began the frame with an infield single.  On a 3-2 count, senior Evie Pitts drew a walk for two on and nobody out.  Following a meeting at the mound by UAH, Schurtz came back with her fifth strikeout of the game for one away.  A fielder's choice followed and a walk loaded the Blazers for the Blazers, but UAH got out of the inning with a flyout. 

The Chargers added a run in the sixth for a 7-2 lead and then Ballentine belted a two run home run to left field for a 9-2 score.  Schurtz had command in the bottom of the sixth registering her sixth strikeout of the game. 

Blazer junior Emilee Zetmeir came in to pitch the seventh and Abby Flynt hit a two run home run to center field for an 11-2 lead.  VSU had one last chance in the bottom of the seventh.  Pitts began the frame with her first home run of the season to left field and an 11-3 score. 

Offensively, Valdosta State recorded seven hits in the contest. Rachael Lee led the way with two hits, while McNearney added a double and stolen base. VanAllen and Pitts each homered and combined for all three RBI in the game 
 
The Blazers return to the road at West Alabama Mar. 7-8 and then at Columbus State on Mar. 11, before returning home to host Delta State Mar. 14-15 at Steel's Diamond at Blazer Park.