Softball Sweeps Thomas 10-0, 5-4

Kristen Lindsey picks up first shutout

VALDOSTA, Ga- The Valdosta State women's softball team swept Thomas University in their home opener on Friday night. Kristen Lindsey and the Lady Blazers shut TU out 10-0 in game one and won 5-4 in the nightcap.

Both teams were held scoreless in the first inning of play in game one but VSU (7-1) came out swinging in the second inning. Kristina Ely led off with a single and reached second base on an error when Amy Brightwell stepped up to bat, reaching on a fielders choice. Becca Aszman singled to right center field, driving in Ely. Andi Braswell doubled down the left field line, driving in two runs. Another error on Thomas (0-2) allowed Brightwell to reach third and later score on a passed ball. Alex Acosta singled up the middle scoring another run and Shannon Cleland drove in the last run of the inning with a single.

VSU scored three more runs in the third inning, starting with Brightwell reaching on a fielding error. Aszman singled followed by a Braswell walk. With two outs, Acosta stepped up the plate and doubled to left center, scoring three runs, giving VSU plently of breathing room for the rest of the game.

The Lady Blazers weren't done there, scoring another run in the fourth with a homerun to left field for Ely. This marks her third homerun of the season.

The game ended in the fifth inning with VSU up 10-0.

Lindsey picked up her third win of the season, pitching five innings and giving up only one hit and striking out five.

Acosta was two-for-two with four runs driven in while Aszman was two-for-three with two runs. As a team VSU hit .391 with nine hits in 23 at-bats.

Brittani Phillips got the loss for UT, pitching three innings and giving up seven hits and striking out four.

Game two was a nail-biter, with both teams being held scoreless through three innings. Valdosta State was first to score, putting three runs on the board in the fourth inning. Ely hit a shot down the left field line that drove in Kyle Zweifel who pinch ran for Robin Williams. Kelsey Case followed with another double, scoring a run and Aszman singled to right field, scoring their third run.

The Lady Blazers added another two runs in the fifth inning before Thomas gave VSU a score in the sixth. Sarah Yingling hit her first home run of the season to left field, driving in three runs followed by another homerun from Cassie Wimmer to straight center field. VSU quickly got out of the inning but the damage was done as UT came within one run of tying the Lady Blazers.

Valdosta State did not score in the bottom of the sixth and Lindsey held Thomas scoreless in the seventh inning with two strikeouts and a fly out to center field.

Ashley Hill got the win for VSU, pitching 5.1 innings and giving up four hits and striking out four while Lindsey came in in relief, pitching 1.2 innings and giving up no hits and striking out three.

Williams was two-for-two with an RBI while Ely and Case were each two-for-two with one run scored. Aszman was two-for-two with one RBI.

VSU returns home on Friday, February 15th when they take on West Florida in the first Gulf South Conference game of the season at 5 pm. The following day, Saturday, February 16th VSU will host the VSU Chick-fil-A Crossover.

Game 1 Stats

Game 2 Stats

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