Shorter scored three runs in each of the series’ first two games Saturday, but the Valdosta State softball team retaliated Sunday with three first-inning runs of its own en route to an 8-6 series finale win against the Hawks in Rome.

The Gulf South Conference victory pushed No. 5-ranked Valdosta State to 21-6 on the season and secured its first-place position at 10-2 in league play, while the Hawks fell to 17-7 overall and dropped into a second-place tie with Lee at 8-4 against conference opponents.

Valdosta State’s strong start came about after Jessica Mohl set the tone with a leadoff triple to center field. Chelsea Canara followed with a walk and promptly stole second base to place two in scoring position. Taylor Hartenbach loaded the bases on the next at-bat after she was hit by a pitch, and Brandy Morgan delivered the first blow two batters later with an RBI single through the left side. Tana McDaniel was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to pick up an RBI during the ensuing at bat, and VSU scored again before the inning concluded, thanks to a sacrifice fly off the bat of Lacey Crandall.

After allowing one run in the bottom of the first, Blazer starter Kathryn Carter went to work for three scoreless innings, while the Blazers added four additional runs to take a 7-1 lead after four.

Another run in the top of the fifth put the Blazers on top 8-1, but the Hawks didn’t go quietly. Shorter manufactured two runs in the bottom of the fifth and started a three-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning before Avery Lamb came on in relief to pick up the final two outs and record her second save of the season.

Of Valdosta State’s eight runs, three came by way of the long ball. Canara blasted a two-run shot down the left-field line in the fourth inning, and Morgan added to her season total with a solo shot one inning later. The pair of round-trippers lifted the pair’s individual home run totals to six each on the season, which places them in a tie for fourth place in the GSC.

The Blazers will head to Georgia Southwestern on Wednesday for a midweek non-conference matchup with the Hurricanes in Americus. The doubleheader is slated for a 2 p.m. first pitch.