MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The Valdosta State softball team dropped the series finale to Montevallo, 6-3, on Saturday afternoon at Orr Park, closing out the Gulf South Conference series on the road.

With the loss, the Blazers moved to 14-15 overall, while Montevallo improved to 25-6 on the season.

Valdosta State came out strong early, taking an immediate lead in the top of the first inning. Saylor McNearney singled and stole second before Madison VanAllen drove her in with an RBI single to give the Blazers a 1-0 advantage.

The Blazers added to their lead in the second inning. Cailyn Cooke singled and later advanced on a sacrifice bunt before Carly Bogart delivered an RBI double to extend the lead to 2-0.

Montevallo responded in the bottom of the second with a three-run rally. After a pair of doubles and a walk loaded the bases, Taylor Rogers delivered a two-run double to put the Falcons ahead 3-2.

The Falcons continued to build momentum in the third inning when Makayla Peters drove in a run with a single, extending the lead to 4-2.

Montevallo added another run in the fourth on an RBI single from Emma Hawkins to push the lead to 5-2.

Valdosta State cut into the deficit in the sixth inning. After Chloe Eichelberger was hit by a pitch and VanAllen singled, Cooke came through with an RBI single to bring the Blazers within two runs at 5-3.

However, Montevallo answered in the bottom half of the inning as Rogers drove in another run with a single to extend the lead to 6-3.

The Blazers were unable to mount a comeback in the seventh inning, as Montevallo's Taylor Lloyd completed the game in the circle, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out four.

Offensively, Valdosta State finished with six hits. Cooke led the way with a 2-for-3 performance and an RBI, while VanAllen also recorded two hits and drove in a run. Bogart added a double and an RBI, and McNearney contributed a hit, a run scored, and a stolen base.

In the circle, Giselle Portanova took the loss after allowing four runs on six hits over three innings of work. VanAllen and Alyssa Vallad combined to provide relief for the Blazers.