VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State softball team opened its home schedule with a two-game sweep of Georgia Southwestern on Wednesday afternoon.

The Blazers claimed a narrow 2-0 victory in game one and a 9-1 victory in game two.

Freshman Courtney Albritton finished the day 2 for 6 with four runs batted in and three runs scored, which included the game-winning walk-off home run in game one. Morgan Johnson was 1 for 5, but managed four RBI, all of which came in the Blazers’ game two victory, while Ashley Steinhilber was 2 for 4 with three runs scored.



Game one: Blazers 2, Hurricanes 0



After being held in check, offensively, for the entire game, Albritton continued her impressive start to her VSU career, delivering a walk-off home run to carry the Blazers to a 2-0 victory in game one. Prior to her home run, Albritton was 0 for 3 at the plate, with two strikeouts.

“The first three at bats, I was very frustrated,” Albritton said. “I was thinking a lot, but the last at-bat I was told not to think and just react, and I did.

“I didn’t know it was going to end the game,” Albritton continued. “If I would have thought about that then I would have been nervous, so I just had to hit it like I could.”

Albritton’s homer was just the second hit of the day for the Blazers, who were held hitless until the seventh inning. Sarah Vaughn pinch hit for VSU and recorded the first hit of the afternoon, which was followed up by Albritton’s game-winning homer.

“(Courtney) is a beast,” Macera said. “I don’t like singling out players, but that girl, she is a freakin’ ball player, period. She is steady, she doesn’t act as a freshman.”

Despite the lack of hits, the Blazers didn’t go without opportunities for runs, as GSW pitcher Jessica Martin walked seven Blazer batters in the game.

But, every time the Blazers got on base, Martin recorded the essential out to get out of the jam. Valdosta State left two runners stranded in the first, second and third innings, only to leave another stranded in the fifth.

“The game we lost to Barry, we left 12 on base,” Macera said. “And then against Pittsburg State, we had runners at second and third, and we lose 4-3. That is what I talked to them about, was that in the first two innings we had runners on base, but we left four runners on base. We have to find that timely hit.”

While the VSU offense struggled at times, the pitching and defense was solid. Starting pitcher Alanna Hadley delivered a complete game shutout, allowing three runs and striking out seven batters along the way.

“I am always confident because my defense is behind me,” Hadley said. “I know they are amazing and I count on them, so I try to work ahead and pitch for outs.”

At times, Hadley was unhittable, as she retired 11-straight batters     before allowing a single. From there, she retired seven more batters in consecutive order before surrendering a double to Gabby Buck to start the top of the seventh inning.

“She pitched very, very well today,” Macera said. “She didn’t even have a walk today, if I remember her stats right. She was putting the balls on the corners and we made plays behind her.”

After a sacrifice bunt moved Buck to third with one out, Hadley struck out Avery Purser and Katie Wooten to end the top of the seventh inning, which was followed up by Albrittion’s home run to end the game.



Game two: Blazers 9, Hurricanes 1



Valdosta State run ruled the Hurricanes in game two, scoring five  runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to secure the win.

“In the second game, it was a right-handed pitcher that you see more of, and the balls that came across the plate we murdered,” Macera said. “That was the difference in the games.”

Much like the first game, the Blazers failed to take advantage of a scoring opportunity in the bottom of the first inning, leaving the bases loaded.

After Georgia Southwestern took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, using a Morgan Johnson error in right field to score the run, the Blazers took over, scoring nine-straight runs to end the contest.

Johnson started VSU’s scoring in the bottom of the second inning, redeeming herself of the error in the top of the frame. Johnson connected on a three-run, bases clearing, double that gave the Blazers a 3-1 lead.

Two innings later, Samantha Posey delivered an RBI single, which scored Steinhilber, who reached base with a double to start the inning.

The Blazers’ biggest offensive inning of the day came in the bottom of the fifth inning when they scored five runs. With the bases loaded, Angela O’Connor was hit by a pitch, which scored Sarah Vaughn from third base. The following at-bat, Albritton drove in two runs with a double, with a third run scoring on a Hurricane throwing error. VSU’s final run of the day came on a Johnson sacrifice fly to center field, which scored Albritton from third.

Julia Fink started game two in the circle for VSU, but was pulled after 1 2/3 innings pitched, allowing one runs on one hit with two walks. She was replaced by sophomore Brianna Hancock, who allowed no runs on three hits in 3 1/3 innings.

“One kid struggled a little bit, so we had to bring in another kid, who is obviously a good pitcher, but not Alanna Hadley, but we made plays behind her,” Macera said, crediting his defense. “We are back to playing unbelievable defense.”