MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The Valdosta State softball team came up short in both games of a Gulf South Conference doubleheader on Friday afternoon, falling 5-4 in game one and 4-3 in game two at Orr Park.

With the two losses, the Blazers moved to 14-14 overall on the season.

Game 1: Montevallo 5, VSU 4

Valdosta State battled throughout the opener but was unable to hold off a late rally from Montevallo.

The Falcons struck first in the opening inning, but the Blazers answered in the third when Saylor McNearney launched a solo home run to even the score at 1-1.

VSU took the lead in the fourth inning as Rachel Lee doubled to left center and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Jayme Prandine. Moments later, Cailyn Cooke delivered a two-run home run to give the Blazers a 3-1 advantage.

Montevallo responded in the fifth inning with a two-run home run from Becca Benton to tie the game at 3-3.

The Blazers briefly regained the lead in the sixth when Charlotte Phillips reached and later scored on another sacrifice fly from Prandine, putting VSU ahead 4-3.

However, Montevallo answered again in the bottom half of the inning, tying the game on an RBI single from Lillie Piersol. In the seventh, the Falcons capitalized on a defensive miscue, plating the game-winning run on a double by Riley Tyree to secure the 5-4 victory.

McNearney and Cooke each homered in the contest, while Cooke finished with two RBIs. Phillips added two hits as part of the Blazers' six-hit effort.

Game 2: Montevallo 4, VSU 3

The second game of the doubleheader was another tightly contested matchup, with Montevallo using a decisive fourth inning to take the lead.

The Falcons opened the scoring in the first inning on a sacrifice bunt, but Valdosta State responded in the second when Evie Pitts hit a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1.

VSU took the lead in the third inning as Charlotte Phillips singled and later scored on a two-run home run from Cailyn Cooke, giving the Blazers a 3-1 advantage.

Montevallo swung the momentum in the fourth inning, scoring three runs on a combination of a double from Lillie Piersol, a single from Taylor Rogers, and a two-run single from Emma Hawkins to take a 4-3 lead.

The Blazers threatened down the stretch but were unable to push across the tying run, as Montevallo's pitching staff held VSU scoreless over the final four innings.

Phillips led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance, while Cooke drove in two runs and Pitts added a home run.

Valdosta State will look to bounce back in the series finale as the Blazers continue Gulf South Conference play on the road against Montevallo.