PENSACOLA, Fla. —
Valdosta State’s softball team keeps winning games.
The Blazers increased their Gulf South Conference record winning streak to 35 games on Sunday, sweeping a doubleheader with West Florida. Valdosta State won the first game 5-2, then completed the sweep with a 4-3 win in game 2.
The Blazers are now 41-2 this season, and a perfect 24-0 in Gulf South Conference play. They are the No. 1 team in Division II.
Courtney Albritton led VSU in hitting with four hits in six at bats, and scored a run. Natalia Morozova tallied three hits in seven at-bats. April Hutchens was 2 for 5 with a double, two runs scored and three RBIs. Also picking up RBIs on Sunday were Clare Wamsley, Angela O’Connor, Samantha Posey and Morgan Johnson.
In game 1, the Blazers took an early lead with two runs in the second inning. After Ashley Steinhilber was hit by a pitch for the 13th time this season, O’Connor reached on an error. Wamsley laid down a bunt, and Steinhilber ran home to score. Later in the inning, Johnson reached on a fielder’s choice, which scored pinch runner April Collins to give VSU a 2-0 lead.
West Florida scored a run in the bottom of the second.
But the Blazers answered with three third-inning runs. Marti Littlefield singled up the middle and Steinhilber reached on an error. O’Connor singled to left to plate Littlefield. Then Steinhilber and O’Connor scored on Hutchens’ single up the middle, which gave Valdosta State a 5-1 lead.
The Argonauts scored a run in the seventh inning, which made the final score 5-2.
Valdosta State pitcher Alanna Hadley improved to 21-1 on the season. Hadley pitched a complete game, gave up two runs and four hits, struck out seven and walked three.
In game 2, the Blazers fell behind early, but took the lead with two runs in the third. Hutchens reached on a fielder’s choice and Albritton singled. Hutchens scored on a single by Johnson, then Albritton came home on a fielder’s choice by Posey, giving VSU a 2-1 lead.
That 2-1 advantage was short-lived, however. West Florida tied the score in the bottom of the third, and took the lead with a run in the fifth.
But the Blazers responded with a two-run sixth inning. O’Connor led off with a single and moved to second on a Wamsley sacrifice bunt. Hutchens knocked in O’Connor with a double to left, and scored on a Posey double, giving VSU a 4-3 lead. Valdosta State pitcher Brianna Hancock held the Argonauts scoreless the rest of the way, and closed out the Blazers’ 35th consecutive win.
Hancock (13-1) struck out four, walked none and gave up eight hits and two earned runs in seven innings.
Valdosta State returns home next weekend to host Christian Brothers on Saturday and Delta State on Sunday.
Local Sports
35 in a row: VSU softball wins 2 more
- Local Sports
-
-
Sending the Blazers off
The Valdosta State softball team made the long journey to Salem, Va. Tuesday, leaving Valdosta at 10:30 a.m. with devoted fans cheering them out of the parking lot.
-
All-Region teams announced
Lowndes was one win away from a trip to the Class AAAAAA state semifinals, and the success by the Vikings this season showed when the All-Region 1 baseball teams were announced Monday.
-
Lowndes tennis dominates
Lowndes’ tennis team dominated the All-Region 1 teams, with coach Heath Phelps garnering Coach of the Year honors on both the girls’ and boys’ side.
-
Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby a success
The 13th annual Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby held May 11 drew 150 children from ages 3 to 15 who competed for trophies while learning how to fish.
-
Valdosta's Alakulppi ties for 2nd at state
Valdosta freshman golfer Luukas Alakulppi fired a 71 to finish in a tie for second at the Class AAAAAAA state golf tournament in Tifton.
-
Brooks County's Parrish in Rivals Top 100
Brooks County rising senior Malkolm Parrish is ranked the 73rd best high school football prospect in the nation, according to the release of the Rivals.com Top 100.
-
Summer camp information
VSU baseball camp coming soon
-
Prince Automotive donates new baseball equipment
Prince Automotive of Valdosta is supporting the Valdosta community through its partnership with the Valdosta/Lowndes County Recreation Department. The dealership has joined forces with the national Chevrolet Youth Baseball program to provide new equipment, instructional clinics, and a monetary donation.
-
Needmore holds final races before big Memorial Day weekend
Saturday night racing at Needmore Speedway saw some new faces in victory lane.
That wasn’t the case in the Late Model division, as Valdosta's Gene Ross drove to victory once again, but not without some close competition from Steven Roberts who came in second.
In the Limited Late Model class, it was another win for Cole Exum, with Gene Maine finishing second in the NAPA Auto Parts special. -
VSU softball wins South Region, headed to nationals
For the third time in four years, and second in a row, Valdosta State’s softball team will play in the national championship tournament.
The Blazers won their third South Region championship Saturday, beating Alabama-Huntsville 8-3 in game three of the best-of-three series at Steel’s Diamond at Blazer Park. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
