Delta State’s pitching hands VSU finale loss

Published 4:34 pm Monday, February 26, 2018

The Valdosta State softball team was unable to solve Delta State starter Taylor Johnson in a 2-0 series-finale loss at Steel’s Diamond at Blazer Park on Sunday afternoon.

Taylor Johnson allowed just two hits and held VSU scoreless throughout the seven innings. Meanwhile, Kasie Johnson suffered the loss despite going the distance and allowing just one earned run to cross. Taylor Johnson improved to 5-3 with the victory, and Kasie Johnson’s record fell to 2-2 on the season.

The Statesmen used a two-out rally in the fifth inning to bring the first run across. The push began when Kailyn Lofton reached on an error and moved into scoring position after Olivia Dick lofted a perfectly placed pop-up in between shortstop Logan Hill and left fielder Brandy Morgan. One batter later, Mallory Myers floated a similar hit just over the head of Hill, which allowed Lofton to score from second base and give DSU a 1-0 advantage.

Delta State added to their lead with their first earned run of the weekend, when first basemen Kelly Byrd launched an opposite field homer over the right field wall in the top of the sixth inning. The insurance run was more than enough for DSU, who held on to even up both their overall record at 9-9 and their Gulf South Conference record at 3-3.

The Blazers saw their record fall to 14-4 overall and 4-2 against league opponents.

Valdosta State returns to action next weekend for more GSC action, as the team heads to Livingston, Ala., for a three-game set against the West Alabama Tigers. The series opens Saturday at 1 p.m. with a doubleheader, and the finale will take place Sunday at 2 p.m.