Oxford, Ala. - Valdosta State's GSC tournament opener ended in heartbreaking fashion Wednesday afternoon as the seventh-seeded Blazers fell to second-seeded West Alabama, 3-2, in nine innings during the opening round of the Gulf South Conference Tournament at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama.
The Blazers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning and appeared poised to pull off an upset against one of the top teams in the conference.
Saylor McNearney drew a leadoff walk and later stole second before
Carly Bogart reached on a West Alabama fielding error that allowed McNearney to score the game's first run. Rachel Lee followed with an RBI single to left field that brought home Bogart and gave VSU the two-run advantage.
West Alabama answered immediately in the bottom of the second inning. After Ella Watson was hit by a pitch, ShaKeria Washington delivered the biggest swing of the afternoon for the Tigers with a two-run home run to left field that tied the contest at 2-2. It was one of only three hits allowed by Valdosta State pitcher
Alyssa Vallad throughout the marathon game.
From there, the matchup turned into a tense pitching duel between Vallad and West Alabama ace Eleanor De Block. Vallad battled through 8.2 innings in the circle, allowing just three hits while striking out six and throwing 151 pitches. She repeatedly worked out of trouble despite issuing seven walks and stranded several Tiger runners to keep the game tied deep into extra innings.
Valdosta State had opportunities late to regain the lead. Bogart doubled in the sixth inning and later walked in the ninth, while Rachel Lee added her second hit of the game and also drew a walk in extra innings. However, the Blazers were unable to push across another run against De Block, who went the distance for West Alabama and allowed just three hits while striking out six over nine innings. Both Valdosta State runs were unearned following the first-inning defensive miscue by the Tigers.
The Tigers finally broke through in the bottom of the ninth inning. Watson drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third after a single by Washington and a sacrifice bunt from Carolyn Cagle. Jessica Rose then lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Watson to score the game-winning run and send West Alabama to the next round of the tournament.
Bogart finished with Valdosta State's lone extra-base hit, while Lee accounted for two of the team's three hits and drove in a run. McNearney also scored and stole a base in the loss.
Despite the opening-round setback, Valdosta State remains alive in the double-elimination tournament format and will continue play Thursday morning. Due to expected inclement weather in the Oxford area, the Gulf South Conference announced that Thursday's tournament schedule has been adjusted, with games beginning at 9 a.m. Central Time. The Blazers will face sixth-seeded UAH in an elimination game as they attempt to keep their postseason run alive.
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