LAKELAND, Fla. — Valdosta State’s softball season came to an end Sunday with a 6-4 loss to Alabama-Huntsville in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II South Regionals.

Alabama-Huntsville jumped out to a 6-0 lead and then held off a furious rally to defeat VSU at Florida Southern’s Barnett Field.

Valdosta State ends the season 42-24. The Lady Blazers went 3-2 and finished third at the regional, behind No. 3 Florida Southern and No. 17 UAH.

“To go from 26-40 (in 2005) to the semifinals of the regional tournament is a big positive step for Valdosta State softball,” VSU head coach Thomas Macera said.

Florida Southern wound up winning the regional, defeating UAH 13-2 Monday morning.

On Sunday, Alabama-Huntsville combined three hits with three walks to take a 6-0 lead in the second inning off Valdosta State pitcher Kristen Lindsey (18-9).

With one out and the bases loaded on two walks and a fielder’s choice, Megan Blanchard drew a third walk to force in one run. That ended Lindsey’s day. Reliever Elske ten Hoope struck out the first batter she faced before giving up a two-run single to Anna Parker and an RBI base hit to Kellie Corder, giving the Chargers a 4-0 lead.

Mary Farris drove in the fifth Charger run with a RBI single in the third with Amy Harris aboard. Then Jenny Hess gave Alabama-Huntsville a 6-0 lead with a solo home run in the fifth.

Meanwhile, Charger starting pitcher Sage Woodham held the Blazers in check, allowing just two hits while striking out six in the first five innings.

Valdosta State rallied in the sixth. Amy Gaiss led off the sixth with a single. Woodham was replaced by Hess, who leads Division II with 11 saves. Brianna Collis greeted Hess with a single, then one out later, pinch hitter Ashley Mayhue crushed a three-run home run over the left field fence. Melissa Santana followed with a solo shot to left to cut the UAH lead to 6-4.

But Woodham re-entered the game, and retired two of the next three batters to hold off the rally. VSU went scoreless in the seventh.

Mayhue had three RBIs, while Santana and Gaiss each went 2-for-3 with a run.