VALDOSTA —
For the first time in 2012, the Valdosta State softball team will play at home.
The Blazers (7-2) will host Georgia Southwestern in a doubleheader today at 2 p.m.
“We are glad to be home, finally,” Valdosta State head coach Thomas Macera said. “It is tough being on the road a lot, so anytime you get a home game it’s good because the crowd is big here.”
Valdosta State started the season back on Feb. 4 in Pensacola, Fla. After nine days off, the Blazers blasted Albany State, scoring 31 runs in two games, on Feb. 15. Last weekend, the Blazers posted a 2-1 record while playing games down in Florida.
“We’ve seen a lot of good stuff, but seen some stuff that we still need to approve on,” Macera said. “I don’t think we have arrived yet. I think we have played some really good ball because we have played some really good teams.”
Through the first nine games of the season, true freshman Courtney Albritton has shined. The outfielder, who passed up offers from large Division I schools — like Georgia — to attend VSU, leads the team with a .452 batting average, 14 hits, four doubles, two home runs (tied with Morgan Johnson), 26 total bases and an .839 slugging percentage.
“It is always awesome when you can get a freshman to come in and contribute, especially at a high-level that we play at,” Macera said. “It is definitely a blessing to have her here.”
Albritton is also second on the team in runs batted in, trailing senior shortstop Marti Littlefield by three, as Littlefield has 12 on the season. Albritton’s dominance didn’t take long to notice, as she hit for the cycle in just her fourth career game.
“I don’t think I have ever done it, period,” Albritton said about hitting for the cycle.
“I just knew that VSU was a good competitive D-II school and I could possibly play my freshman year, because I didn’t want to sit out and not play.”
The versatile Albritton is also playing stout defense, as she has yet to commit an error in center field, while assisting on two double plays.
“(Albritton) is a phenomenal player,” Macera said. “She has made some phenomenal plays. She is hitting great and her defense is unbelievable.”
With the loss of all three starting pitchers from 2011, the Blazers have turned to Alanna Hadley and Courtney Gunby this season. The duo has combined for a 6-1 record in the circle, while Julia Fink and Brianna Hancock are providing relief out of the bullpen. Fink, a senior, has yet to surrender a run, while Hancock has a team-high 2.33 earned run average, allowing two earned runs in six innings of work.
“We have good pitching,” Macera said. “That is one thing that we are really trying to focus on right now, is just improving our pitching a little bit and getting some better outings from our pitchers.”
Valdosta State is finally back healthy after starting the season without third baseman Samantha Posey, who was sidelined with a hurt foot. Her four games away from the team clearly didn’t affect her, as the senior from Leesburg has recorded a .450 batting average with six RBI.
In Posey’s absence, newcomer Erika Trojan filled in at third base. Trojan has since moved to the designated player position.
“We have Sam back, but Erika Trojan did a great job,” Macera said. “She didn’t have any errors and she made some big plays while Sam was out. But it is great to have Sam back because she is a great stick. It definitely helps us, it gives us one more option.”
Following today’s games with Georgia Southwestern, the Blazers will enjoy another break as they don’t return to action until March 6.
when they host UNC-Pembroke.
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Valdosta State outfielder Courtney Albritton makes contact with a ball during batting practice on Tuesday. Albritton leads the team in nearly every offensive category so far this season. The Blazers open their home schedule today. Ed Hooper
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Blazer softball opens home schedule today
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