VSU sweeps Eckerd for perfect weekend

Published 2:28 pm Monday, February 12, 2018

The Valdosta State softball team capped off a flawless weekend with a doubleheader sweep (5-3, 10-7) against the Eckerd Tritons in South Region action Sunday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Trailing 3-1 in the top of the sixth of Game 1, Jessica Mohl roped a double to left-center field to lead off the frame. Eckerd pitcher Nikole Van Gennep retired the next two batters, but was unable to escape the inning, thanks to freshman Cassey Cornelius, who belted her first collegiate homer over the left-center field wall to tie the game at 3-3.

The Blazers sealed the comeback win in the final inning, when Mohl struck again for a two-run double to left field to cap off a two-out rally. The game-winning hit scored both Haley Garrett and Danielle Patterson, who reached with two outs earlier in the half inning by way of a walk and a base hit, respectively. The base hit for Patterson complemented a third-inning triple to finish off a 2-for-3 effort at the plate in the first game of the day.

Game 2 was all Blazers, as Valdosta State plated nine runs in the first two innings to jump out to a lead that they would not relinquish for the rest of the afternoon. The highlight of the offensive surge in the second game was second-inning grand slam by Logan Hill, which also happened to be her first collegiate home run. The blast scored Patterson, Mohl, and Taylor Hartenbach, who reached respectively on a pair of singles and a walk to set the table for the Lake Park native.

The Tritons chipped away at the Blazers throughout Game 2 with a three-run homer by Meredith McGinnis in the first and a pair of runs in both the fifth and the seventh innings. However, Ashtin Strickland, who came on to relieve Avery Lamb after the first inning homer, recorded 6 2/3 innings of work and struck out 10 against three walks to hold Eckerd at arm’s length.

Strickland’s pitching effort in Game 2 improved the freshman to 2-0 on the season, while Lamb picked up the win in game one to also improve to 2-0. The Blazers lifted their overall record to 8-1 after the successful trip, while the Tritons fell to 3-4.

Mohl finished the day 6-for-8 with three RBIs and two runs scored. The senior, who was announced this week as one of 50 student-athletes to make the NFCA Watch List for the National Division II Player of the Year award, currently leads the GSC in stolen bases (7), doubles (5), and RBIs (12). As the Blazers’ leadoff hitter, she is currently hitting .514 with three homers and 11 runs scored.

Valdosta State returns home to Steel’s Diamond on Thursday for a 4 p.m. doubleheader against the visiting Flagler Saints. For those who can’t make it to Blazer Park, live coverage will be available at www.vstateblazers.com.