VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State softball team returns to action Wednesday afternoon as the Blazers travel to Columbus, Ga., for a nonconference doubleheader against Columbus State.

Valdosta State (9-10, 5-4 GSC) enters the midweek matchup looking to bounce back following a challenging weekend series against West Alabama in Gulf South Conference play. The Blazers dropped both games of Friday's doubleheader before falling in a tightly contested series finale on Saturday.

In the opening game of the doubleheader, West Alabama claimed a 5-1 victory behind a dominant performance from pitcher Eleanor De Block, who struck out nine while limiting the Blazers to just two hits. The Tigers broke the scoreless tie in the second inning on a solo home run from ShaKeria Washington before extending the lead in the third on a sacrifice fly by Ann Marie Stanbridge. La'Taviona Parke delivered the decisive blow in the sixth inning with a three-run home run to push the lead to 5-0. Valdosta State avoided the shutout in the seventh when Chloe Eichelberger launched a solo home run to left field. Savannah Barfield took the loss, while Toree Wofford provided four innings of relief in the circle.

The nightcap proved far more competitive, as the Blazers rallied late before West Alabama secured a 4-3 walk-off victory. Carly Bogart gave VSU an early lead with a solo home run in the second inning, but the Tigers answered with solo shots from Trinity Hatcher and Ella Watson to take a 2-1 advantage. Valdosta State regained control in the sixth when Saylor McNearney delivered a clutch two-RBI single to center field, scoring Rachel Lee and Cailyn Cooke for a 3-2 lead. Giselle Portanova turned in a strong outing in the circle, allowing five hits over 6.2 innings, but West Alabama rallied in the seventh with an RBI single from Haley Shannon before the winning run crossed the plate on a passed ball.

The Tigers completed the series sweep on Saturday with a 3-2 walk-off victory in the finale. Valdosta State jumped out to an early lead as Cailyn Cooke drove in Carly Bogart with a sacrifice fly in the second inning before Saylor McNearney scored in the third following a throwing error. West Alabama tied the game in the fifth on a two-run homer from Alexis Parson and later sealed the win in the bottom of the seventh with a two-out RBI single from Carolyn Cagle. Madison VanAllen pitched five strong innings for the Blazers, allowing two runs on four hits before Alyssa Vallad worked the final 1.1 innings.

Despite the results, the Blazers showed offensive flashes throughout the weekend. Bogart's home run highlighted the doubleheader opener, while Cooke recorded multiple hits in game two and McNearney provided a key two-RBI hit in the late rally.

Columbus State (12-6, 2-1 PBC) enters Wednesday's matchup following a Peach Belt Conference series against USC Beaufort. The Cougars split a Saturday doubleheader before securing a 9-4 victory in Sunday's finale. Columbus State's offense has shown plenty of firepower, producing double-digit runs in an 11-2 win and a nine-run outing in the series finale.

Anna Waites highlighted the Cougar lineup with a three-run home run in Sunday's victory, while players such as Nova Wright, Izzy Ripatti, and Abrianna Green have contributed multi-hit performances during the weekend. In the circle, Khloe Shears earned the win in relief Sunday after throwing 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits.

Wednesday's doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET, with the second game to follow shortly after the conclusion of game one. The midweek matchup will give the Blazers an opportunity to regroup offensively and build momentum as they continue their busy stretch of early-season competition.