VALDOSTA, Ga. — The Valdosta State softball team will hit the road this weekend for an important Gulf South Conference series as the Blazers travel to take on West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama. The three-game set begins with a doubleheader Friday at 2 p.m., followed by the series finale Saturday at 2 p.m.

Valdosta State enters the weekend at 9-7 overall and 5-1 in Gulf South Conference play after taking two of three games from then No. 24 Alabama Huntsville last weekend at Steel's Diamond at Blazer Park. The Blazers opened the series with a dramatic extra-inning victory before completing the doubleheader sweep later in the afternoon.

In the opener against UAH, Valdosta State walked off the Chargers 2-1 in eight innings in a tightly contested pitching duel. Savannah Barfield delivered a strong performance in the circle, tossing a complete-game eight-inning effort while allowing just one run on six hits and striking out four. The junior repeatedly worked out of jams, stranding multiple runners to keep the game scoreless deep into extras.

After Alabama Huntsville took a 1-0 lead in the top of the eighth, the Blazers responded immediately in the bottom half. Cailyn Cooke led off with a bunt single before Rachael Lee was hit by a pitch. A bunt single by Saylor McNearney loaded the bases, and a wild pitch brought home the tying run. Moments later, Jayme Prandine lined a walk-off RBI single down the left field line to secure the conference victory.

The Blazers carried that momentum into game two, defeating the Chargers 4-1 to complete the sweep. UAH struck first with a sacrifice fly in the opening inning, but Valdosta State answered with four runs in the bottom half of the frame.

McNearney sparked the rally with a walk before Prandine reached on a strikeout and error that allowed the tying run to score. Carly Bogart followed with an RBI single to give the Blazers the lead, and Cooke delivered the biggest swing of the game with a two-run home run to center field.

In the circle, freshman Giselle Portanova started the game before Toree Wofford turned in a strong relief appearance. Wofford tossed 4.2 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits to secure the win and help the Blazers clinch the series victory.

Valdosta State was unable to complete the sweep on Sunday, falling 11-3 in the series finale despite recording seven hits. Madison VanAllen and Evie Pitts each launched home runs in the contest while Rachael Lee led the team with two hits.

Now the Blazers turn their attention to a West Alabama team that enters the weekend 14-4-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play after sweeping Christian Brothers in Memphis last weekend.

The Tigers are coming off a strong series performance highlighted by dominant pitching from senior Eleanor De Block. De Block recorded two complete-game shutouts during the series and added a save in an extra-inning victory, finishing the weekend with 15.0 innings pitched, just five hits allowed and 14 strikeouts.

West Alabama's offense is led by several productive hitters, including Ann Marie Stanbridge and Haley Shannon. Stanbridge has been one of the Tigers' most consistent bats this season, hitting .350 with eight doubles and a team-high .903 OPS while driving in 10 runs through 19 games. Shannon has also been a key contributor at the top of the lineup, batting .369 with a .414 on-base percentage while collecting 24 hits and swiping eight bases.

Freshman Kayla Morris has provided power in the middle of the lineup for the Tigers as well, delivering multiple home runs during last weekend's series including a grand slam that helped break open a 7-0 victory in the finale.

With both teams sitting near the top of the Gulf South Conference standings, this weekend's matchup could have early implications in the league race. Valdosta State will look to continue its balanced attack of timely hitting and strong pitching while facing one of the conference's hottest teams.

First pitch for Friday's doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Livingston, Alabama, with the series concluding Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.