Extra-inning surge lifts VSU softball against MC

Published 5:01 pm Monday, February 19, 2018

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Valdosta State softball team finished the weekend on a high note, thanks to a five-run surge in the top of the ninth that lifted the Blazers to a 9-4, extra inning victory against the Mississippi College Choctaws at the Gulf South Conference Crossover in Montgomery, Ala.

Representing the home team in the neutral matchup, the defending GSC Champion Lady Choctaws took the lead in the bottom of the third with a two-out rally that led to two runs on two hits and two Blazer errors.

Valdosta State brought the game back to even one half-inning later after Taylor Hartenbach struck for a triple to center and scored one batter later on an infield single off the bat of Cassey Cornelius. Later in the inning, Cornelius scored the tying run to bring the game even, thanks to three consecutive walks issued to Lacey Crandall, Logan Hill, and Brandy Morgan.

The Choctaws put one run across in each of their next two appearances at the plate to take a 4-2 lead, but the Blazers mirrored the effort with back-to-back one run innings in the sixth and seventh.

Hill delivered the RBI single to score Ellington Day in the sixth, and Hartenbach belted a double to right center to score Jessica Mohl and tie the game at 4-4 in the top of the seventh.

Kasie Johnson gave the Blazers a clutch relief outing down the stretch with 2 1-3 innings of scoreless softball. She allowed just three hits and turned Mississippi College away long enough for Cornelius and Hill to team up for five ninth-inning RBI.

Danielle Patterson and Mohl produced back-to-back singles in the final frame and moved into scoring position after a throwing error was committed by MC third baseman, Kayla Murphy. Cornelius jumped on the opportunity with the deciding swing, a two-run single through the left side.

Later in the half inning, fellow newcomer Logan Hill turned on pitch to send it soaring over the left field wall for a three run home run. The long ball marked Hill’s second of the season, gave the Blazers three insurance runs, and lifted her RBI total to four in the game.

Johnson benefited from the offensive outburst in the ninth to pick up her first win of the season and move to an even 1-1. As a team, the Blazers improved to 12-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play, while the Lady Choctaws fell to 3-5 overall and dropped to 0-2 against league opponents.

Valdosta State returns to action next weekend, as the rival Statesmen of Delta State come to town for a three game set. The series will begin Saturday, with a doubleheader slated for 2 p.m.