LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The Valdosta State softball team dropped a tightly contested 3-2 decision to West Alabama in the series finale Saturday afternoon at the UWA Softball Complex. 

With the loss, the Blazers moved to 9-10 overall and 5-4 in Gulf South Conference play, while the Tigers improved to 17-4-1 overall and 8-1 in league action. 

Valdosta State struck first in the second inning. Carly Bogart opened the frame with a single and later advanced on a hit-by-pitch and sacrifice bunt. Cailyn Cooke then delivered a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing Bogart home to give the Blazers a 1-0 lead. 

The Blazers extended the advantage in the third inning when Saylor McNearney singled and later scored after Jayme Prandine reached on a throwing error by the Tigers' pitcher, pushing the lead to 2-0. 

West Alabama chipped away in the fifth inning. After ShaKeria Washington worked a walk, Alexis Parson delivered the biggest swing of the day with a two-run home run to left field, tying the game at 2-2. 

Valdosta State had a prime scoring opportunity in the sixth inning. Evie Pitts reached on an error and Krisley Arnold followed with a bunt single as the Blazers loaded the bases with two outs, but West Alabama reliever Eleanor De Block escaped the jam with a groundout to keep the game tied. 

The Tigers finally broke through in the bottom of the seventh. Alexis Parson singled to begin the inning and later advanced into scoring position. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Carolyn Cagle lined an RBI single up the middle to plate the winning run and give West Alabama the 3-2 walk-off victory. 

Madison VanAllen turned in a strong performance in the circle for the Blazers, allowing just two runs on four hits over five innings while striking out one. Alyssa Vallad took the loss after giving up one run over the final 1.1 innings of relief. 

Offensively, Valdosta State totaled four hits in the contest. McNearney, Annalise Buncy, Bogart and Cooke each recorded a hit, while Cooke drove in one of the Blazers' two runs. 

Despite the loss, the Blazers jumped out early and held the Tigers scoreless through four innings before West Alabama rallied late to secure the series finale.

Valdosta State will now turn its attention to a midweek nonconference matchup as the Blazers travel to Columbus, Ga., for a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 11. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, as VSU looks to bounce back and build momentum heading into the next stretch of its schedule.