Valdosta State used a big third inning to defeat Union 4-1 in Gulf South Conference softball action at the Union Softball Field Saturday.

The Blazers grabbed the lead in the top of the third inning, scoring three runs. April Collins singled to open the top of the third and scored when Courtney Albritton doubled to right. Morgan Johnson drew a walk and moved to second on a Shelby Altman ground out. Then Ashley Steinhilber hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Albritton. Sarah Vaughn followed with a single that drove home Johnson for a 3-0 VSU lead.

Union’s Caylee Crews hit a home run to lead off the bottom of the third to get a run back for the Bulldogs, but Albritton hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth that scored Hannah Strickland to close out the scoring.

Valdosta State pitcher Hanna Lythberg allowed just four hits and struck out three in a complete game to improve to 7-3. Union’s Brooke Thomas surrendered nine hits and four runs in seven innings to fall to 5-6.

Collins was a perfect 3 for 3 to lead VSU offensively, while Vaughn and Kiley Rusen had two hits each.

The second game of the doubleheader was rained out.

Valdosta State returns to action next Saturday, when it hosts West Florida for a Gulf South Conference doubleheader at Steel’s Diamond.