VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State softball seniors Saylor McNearney and Drake LaRoche were named Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week.  This is the first weekly honor of the season for both McNearney, who plays softball for the Blazers and LaRoche who is a pitcher for the Blazer baseball team. 
 
LaRoche, a native of Fort Scott, Kan., tossed one of his best outings as a Blazer going all nine innings for a complete game in a 3-2 win at No. 8 West Alabama on Saturday.  He allowed nine hits, two earned runs, fanned seven with no walks for his best outing of the season improving to 3-1 on the year in six starts.  Of the nine hits surrendered by LaRoche, only one was extra-bases.  He had just 105 pitches for the game. 
 
This season, LaRoche has a 3.89 ERA in 37 innings of work, while he has allowed 48 hits, 18 runs – 16 earned, walked six and fanned 29.  It was his first complete game of the season. 
 
McNearney, a native of Kennesaw, Ga., delivered a strong offensive performance for Valdosta State during the Blazers' Gulf South Conference series against West Alabama. Across the three games, McNearney recorded two hits, two RBI, two walks, two runs scored and two stolen bases, consistently reaching base and creating scoring opportunities for the Blazer lineup. In game two of the series, she came through with a clutch moment in the sixth inning, delivering a two-RBI single to center field that scored Rachel Lee and Cailyn Cooke to give VSU a 3-2 lead while also stealing a base in the game.
 
In the series finale, McNearney again contributed offensively, going 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored, helping Valdosta State jump out to an early 2-0 lead. Her ability to reach base, produce timely hits and apply pressure on the bases made her a key contributor for the Blazers throughout the weekend series.
 
The baseball team hosts Embry-Riddle on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Billy Grant Field at Tommy Thomas Park, while the softball team plays a doubleheader on Wednesday at Columbus State beginning at 3 p.m.  Both teams host Delta state in key GSC series' this weekend. 
 
Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week
Oct. 20, 2025 – Eimy Negron Domenech (Volleyball) / Elad Sebbag (Men's Golf)
Oct. 27, 2025 – Kaitlyn Scherer (Women's Soccer) / Mark Robinson (Football)
Nov. 3, 2025 – Taylor Youmans (Women's Soccer) / Council Allen (Football)
Nov. 10, 2025 – Eimy Negron Domenech (Volleyball) / Corey Reddick, Jr. (Football)
Nov. 17, 2025 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Matt Rolader (Football)
Nov. 24, 2025 – Aryana Hicks (Women's Basketball) / Blaise Wallace (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 1, 2025 – Aryana Hicks (Women's Basketball) / MJ Jones (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 8, 2025 – Alina Martin (Women's Basketball) / Samarion Bond (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 16, 2025 – Amaya Broadus (Women's Basketball) / Drew Mills (Men's Basketball)
Dec 22, 2025 –  Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Drew Mills (Men's Basketball)
Jan. 5, 2026 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Lucas Brown Jr. (Men's Basketball)
Jan. 12, 2026 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Peter McKey (Men's Basketball)
Jan. 20, 2026 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Drew Mills (Men's Basketball)
Jan. 26, 2026 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Blaise Wallace (Men's Basketball)
Feb. 3, 2026 – Chardae Rumph (Women's Basketball) / Drew Mills (Men's Basketball)
Feb. 9, 2026 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Peter McKey (Men's Basketball)
Feb. 17, 2026 – Charlotte Phillips (Softball) / Charlie Banks (Baseball)
Feb. 23, 2026 – Chloe Eichelberger (Softball) / Jack Butler (Baseball)
March 9, 2026 – Saylor McNearney (Softball) / Drake LaRoche (Baseball)