VALDOSTA —
VALDOSTA — Valdosta State’s softball team dominated one game and rallied for a win in the other one, and earned two Gulf South Conference victories over North Alabama on Sunday.
The Lady Blazers hit three home runs and pounded out nine hits in game 1, and won 9-1 in six innings. In game 2, big home runs by Alyssa Shirey and Colette Rollins helped VSU overcome a 5-0 fifth-inning deficit, and rally for a 6-5 win.
“We got the hits when we needed them at the end. Like I always tell my team, it takes seven innings to win a ballgame,” Valdosta State head coach Thomas Macera said. “We do have the ability to hit, and we have the ability to hit the home run ball, and that’s what won it for us in both games.”
The wins improved VSU’s record to 17-3 this season, and 5-3 in conference play. North Alabama dropped to 14-18, and 5-3 in the GSC.
“That’s huge,” said Macera about getting the sweep. “We have got to win conference games to be there at the end, and they came through big.”
VSU 6, UNA 5
In game 2, the Lady Blazers found themselves in a big hole heading into the bottom of the fifth, trailing 5-0. North Alabama pitcher Laurin Watts had shut out VSU up to that point.
But then Rollins came to the plate with Shirey on first and two outs in the fifth. Rollins drilled a pitch over the fence in center field for a two-run homer that cut North Alabama’s lead to 5-2.
Rollins’ homer was the start of a big rally. One inning later, the Lady Blazers grabbed the lead.
With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Melessa Jackson walked. Then Amber Shaw bunted for a single, and April Hutchens singled to left, loading the bases. Marti Littlefield grounded out to short, but Jackson scored to make it 5-3.
Then Shirey stepped up to the plate. VSU’s cleanup hitter ripped a long fly ball to right field that was foul by only a few feet. But then Watts put another pitch over the plate, and Shirey hammered it again. This time, the ball sailed over the fence in right center field, and into the trees for a three-run homer, giving Valdosta State a 6-5 lead.
“Alyssa Shirey is probably one of the best Division II players in the country, bar none,” Macera said. “She knows the game. She’s clutch ... She thrives on those pressure moments, because she knows she’s going to come through. She knows she is.”
Holly Satterfield retired the Lady Lions in order in the top of the seventh, and closed out the doubleheader sweep.
North Alabama had taken an early lead in the top of the third. Jennifer Sharp hit a two-run homer, then Andrea Palmer followed with a solo shot, giving UNA a 3-0 lead.
The Lady Lions added two runs in the top of the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Bree Ball and a bases loaded walk to Heather Suddoth.
But then the Lady Blazers rallied for the win.
“People came up big when we needed them to,” Macera said.
Shirey went 3 for 3 with two runs and three RBIs for VSU. Shaw was 2 for 4 with a run. Andrea Palmer, Kathryn Young and Natalie Harrison had two hits apiece for North Alabama.
VSU 9, UNA 1
Unlike the second game, game 1 was an easy win for Valdosta State. The Lady Blazers scored runs in five of the six innings, and won 9-1.
“(UNA’s Jennifer Sexton) is a very good pitcher. (But) when she made a mistake, we were on her,” Macera said. “We hit the ball hard against her.”
Hutchens’ solo homer in the first inning gave VSU a 1-0 lead.
In the second, Rollins hit a two-run homer, increasing her team’s lead to 3-0. It was Rollins’ first collegiate homer — but only the first of two for the sophomore on Sunday.
In the third inning, Hutchens drew a one-out walk. Then Sexton uncorked three wild pitches, and Hutchens scored on the last one to make it 4-0.
Sharp scored UNA’s only run of the first game on an error in the top of the fourth.
In the bottom of the fifth, Shaw reached on an error and Littlefield singled, putting two runners on base with one out. Then Shirey blasted a three-run homer to increase VSU’s lead to 7-1.
The Lady Blazers closed out their win with two more runs in the sixth. VSU loaded the bases, then Sexton walked Hutchens, forcing in a run. Then a failed pick off attempt enabled Jackson to come home with another run. That made the score 9-1, and because VSU was leading by eight runs, the game ended on the mercy rule.
Satterfield (10-1) pitched all six innings for VSU, and limited the Lady Lions to just three hits and one unearned run, while striking out six. Satterfield also pitched the final 2.1 innings of game 2, and wound up earning two wins on Sunday.
“Holly pitched well for us,” Macera said.
At the plate, Rollins went 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs. Shaw had a pair of hits and scored a run. Shirey had a home run and three RBIs.
Valdosta State will travel to Albany State on Wednesday.
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