Valdosta, Ga. – The Valdosta State softball team picked up a midweek sweep over Georgia Southwestern on Tuesday evening at Steel's Diamond, rallying for a walk-off win in game one before cruising to a run-rule victory in game two.
In the opener, the Blazers battled back from an early deficit to secure a 5–4 win in dramatic fashion. Georgia Southwestern jumped ahead with a four-run third inning, capitalizing on timely hitting to take a 4–1 lead. The Hurricanes collected five hits in the frame, including RBI singles from Lani Dansby, Maggie McDonald, and Madison Griffis to seize momentum.
Valdosta State responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning, stringing together five hits to tie the game at 4–4.
Adrianna Portanova ignited the rally with a leadoff single, while
Charlotte Phillips and
Carly Bogart each drove in runs during the surge. Rachel Lee added an RBI single to cap the inning, as the Blazers erased the deficit and evened the score.
The game remained deadlocked into the seventh, where
Saylor McNearney delivered the decisive moment. Leading off the inning, McNearney launched a walk-off home run to right field, giving Valdosta State the 5–4 victory. McNearney finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and the game-winning RBI, while
Cailyn Cooke added a perfect 2-for-2 performance at the plate.
In the circle,
Alyssa Vallad worked six innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits while striking out seven.
Toree Wofford earned the win in relief, tossing a scoreless seventh inning and striking out two to set up the walk-off finish.
Valdosta State carried that momentum into game two, where the Blazers dominated in a 10–1 run-rule victory. The offense erupted early and often, scoring in four of the first four innings to put the game out of reach.
Charlotte Phillips got things started with a two-run home run in the first inning, and McNearney followed with a grand slam in the second to break the game open and give the Blazers a 6–0 lead.
The Blazers continued to apply pressure in the third and fourth innings, taking advantage of Georgia Southwestern errors and aggressive baserunning.
Evie Pitts added a solo home run, while Valdosta State finished with 10 runs on seven hits and drew five walks in the contest. McNearney led the way with four RBIs, while Phillips and Pitts each contributed home runs in the offensive outburst.
In the circle,
Giselle Portanova delivered another strong performance, tossing a complete five-inning game while allowing just one run on five hits and striking out four. The Hurricanes' lone run came on a solo home run by Peyton Namyslowski in the fourth inning, but Portanova quickly regained control and closed out the game.
With the sweep, Valdosta State improved to 18–19 on the season, using timely hitting and strong pitching performances to secure both victories.
