Valdosta, Ga. -  After splitting a midweek doubleheader on the road, the Valdosta State softball team returns to Steel's Diamond at Blazer Park this weekend to host a Gulf South Conference series against Delta State. The series opens with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 14, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m., followed by the series finale on Sunday, March 15, also set for a 1 p.m. start.

Valdosta State enters the weekend following a split against Columbus State on Wednesday afternoon at Cougar Field in Columbus, Georgia. The Blazers dropped the opener 6-2 before responding with a 5-3 victory in game two to close the day on a high note.

In game one of the doubleheader, Columbus State struck early and held off a late push to secure the win. After a scoreless first inning, the Cougars plated three runs in the bottom of the second to take control. Nova Wright opened the inning with a double and later scored on an RBI single from Anna Waites before Abrianna Green delivered a two-run double down the left field line to extend the lead to 3-0.

The Blazers cut into the deficit in the top of the fifth inning when Krisley Arnold doubled to right center and eventually scored on an RBI single by Saylor McNearney. Columbus State answered in the bottom half of the frame with two runs, as Wright and Waites each drove in a run to stretch the advantage to 5-1. The Cougars added another run in the sixth following a Blazer error.

Valdosta State attempted a late rally in the seventh as Chloe Eichelberger and Alyssa Vallad recorded singles before Jayme Prandine brought home Cailyn Cooke on a fielder's choice to make it 6-2, but the comeback attempt came up short. The Blazers finished with seven hits, including doubles from Arnold and Prandine, while McNearney led the offense with two hits and an RBI. Toree Wofford took the loss in the circle after allowing three runs in two innings, while Madison VanAllen and Savannah Barfield combined for the remainder of the game in relief.

The Blazers bounced back in game two behind a powerful offensive inning and a strong performance in the circle. Valdosta State broke the game open in the second inning after a Columbus State error kept the inning alive and Adrianna Portanova drew a walk. McNearney then launched a three-run home run to right field, giving VSU a 4-0 lead.

Columbus State trimmed the deficit to one in the fourth inning when Waites hit a three-run home run to left center to make it 4-3. However, the Blazers responded in the fifth inning as Charlotte Phillips crushed a solo home run to center field to extend the lead back to two runs.

Freshman Giselle Portanova delivered a complete game performance in the circle to secure the victory. She allowed five hits and three runs while striking out two and walking just one across seven innings.

Offensively, Valdosta State recorded eight hits in the win. Phillips finished 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI, while McNearney drove in four runs with her second-inning blast. Cooke also added a pair of hits in the victory.

The split moved Valdosta State to 10-11 on the season as the team prepares to return to Gulf South Conference play this weekend.

Delta State enters the series with momentum after taking two of three games against Christian Brothers in a GSC series in Cleveland, Mississippi. The Lady Statesmen opened the weekend with a doubleheader sweep, winning 9-1 in six innings and 11-7.

In the opener, Maeve Lavoy delivered a dominant performance in the circle, tossing a complete-game six-hitter with six strikeouts and just one walk. Delta State's offense backed her with a four-run second inning and finished the game with 13 hits. Joryie McKnight led the lineup with a 3-for-4 performance, while Carly Dunigan, Ally Agner, and Lavoy each added two hits.

The second game turned into a high-scoring battle as Delta State outlasted Christian Brothers 11-7. Calli McConnell led the charge with a 2-for-3 performance and four RBI, including a key two-run double in the fourth inning that helped reclaim the lead. Kyleigh Wheaton scored three runs and added two hits, while Dunigan and Mary Teague also recorded multi-hit efforts as the Lady Statesmen finished with 12 hits.

Christian Brothers avoided the sweep on Sunday with a 4-3 victory despite a strong relief outing from Lavoy, who threw four scoreless innings with five strikeouts.

Delta State improved to 8-13 overall and 4-4 in Gulf South Conference play following the series.

With conference play heating up, the Blazers will look to carry the momentum from their midweek win into the weekend as they host the Lady Statesmen at Steel's Diamond. Fans are encouraged to come out and support Valdosta State as the team continues its GSC schedule with first pitch set for 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.