CLINTON, Miss. – The Valdosta State softball team dropped both games of a Gulf South Conference doubleheader against Mississippi College on Saturday afternoon at the MC Softball Complex, falling 9-8 in a back-and-forth opener before suffering a 10-0 loss in game two.

With the losses, the Blazers moved to 14-17 overall on the season.

Game 1: Mississippi College 9, VSU 8

Valdosta State showed offensive firepower in the opener, but a late rally by Mississippi College proved to be the difference.

The Choctaws struck first with two runs in the opening inning, but the Blazers responded in the second when Annalise Buncy launched a solo home run to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Mississippi College added another run in the second, but Valdosta State answered in the third. After Madison VanAllen doubled and Carly Bogart reached, the Blazers capitalized on a defensive miscue to plate two runs and tie the game at 3-3.

VSU took control in the fourth inning with a four-run outburst. Krisley Arnold started the rally with a solo home run before VanAllen delivered the biggest swing of the game, a three-run homer to give the Blazers a 7-3 lead.

The Blazers added another run in the sixth on a solo home run from Charlotte Phillips, extending the lead to 8-4.

However, Mississippi College mounted a comeback in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs to cut the deficit to 8-7.

In the seventh, the Choctaws completed the rally. Ellie Fryar delivered a key hit to tie the game before Morgan Lavergne followed with an RBI double. A Valdosta State error allowed the winning run to score, giving Mississippi College a 9-8 walk-off victory.

VanAllen led the Blazers offensively, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, while Phillips added two hits including a home run and an RBI. Bogart and McNearney also contributed multi-hit efforts in the loss.

Game 2: Mississippi College 10, VSU 0 (5 inn.)

The second game of the doubleheader saw Mississippi College take control early and never look back.

The Choctaws exploded for four runs in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Blakely Gill and a solo home run from Megan Matheis.

Mississippi College continued its offensive surge in the second inning, plating five more runs on a series of extra-base hits, including doubles from Shelby Samples and Gill, to extend the lead to 9-0.

The Choctaws added another run in the third to make it 10-0, putting the game out of reach.

Valdosta State was limited offensively, recording just four hits in the game. Saylor McNearney led the way with two hits, while Chloe Eichelberger and Adrianna Portanova each added a hit.

In the circle, Giselle Portanova was charged with the loss after allowing seven runs in just over an inning of work, while Toree Wofford provided relief for the Blazers.

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