VSU softball splits on the road at conference crossover

Published 12:55 am Sunday, February 4, 2018

By Staff Reports

The Valdosta State softball team came from behind to defeat Columbus State 5-4, before falling 4-1 to Florida Tech in Game 2 on the first day of the weekend Southern Softball Showdown in Columbus.

The No. 19-ranked Blazers fell behind 4-1 in the top of the fifth inning of Game 1, but a big half inning in the bottom of the fifth help pull the Blazers even with the Cougars. Freshman Kiley Robb sparked the frame with a leadoff single to center field, and Jessica Mohl followed with a walk.

After Taylor Hartenbach walked to load the bases, and senior Brandy Morgan delivered the biggest blow of the inning with a timely two-run single down the left field line. Two batters later, Hartenbach scored from third on a throw down to second, as the Cougars retired Heather Robinson at second base.

Kathryn Carter, who went the distance for the Blazers and held CSU scoreless in all but two of the games’ seven innings, held the Cougars at bay down the stretch to set the stage for Hartenbach’s game-winning single in the bottom half of the sixth. Cassey Cornelius, who singled to lead off the sixth, represented the winning run.

In Game 2, Florida Tech answered an RBI-single by Morgan in the top of the first with a four-run spot in the bottom half of the same inning. The Panthers racked up four hits in the half inning to end Kameron Coggins’ day prematurely.

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Avery Lamb came on in relief in the first and proceeded to hold the Panthers to just one hit throughout the rest of the game. VSU was never able to get their bats going, however, and were held to just three hits throughout the rest of the contest.

Carter picked up the win in game one, while Coggins suffered the game two loss. The split moved VSU to 3-1 on the season, while the Cougars fell to 0-1 and the Panthers started their season at 1-0.

The Blazers will return to action today for a 10 a.m. matchup against Georgia College and will close out the tournament with Embry-Riddle at 3 p.m.

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