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Winter Softball Camp Dates Set

2009-10-29

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State softball has set the dates for the team's winter softball camps. December 5 will be a skills camp, and there will be a pitching clinic December 6. Please download this form, fill it out completely and send it to the softball coaching staff to register for the camp. Skills Camp The skills camp will last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a one hour lunch break at noon. Campers must bring a lunch because VSU will not provide any. Girls from age 8 and up are welcome to join the camp. The focus of the skills camp will be infield and outfield drills as well as hitting. The cost of the camp is $65 if pre-registered, $75 on the day of the camp. Additional skills camp information: - Campers will be divided into groups according to age and talent level. - Campers must bring a glove, cleats, bat, helmet and batting gloves. Please be sure to have name written on all equipment. - For any questions, please contact Head Coach Thomas Macera at (229) 563-0599 or tjmacera@valdosta.edu, or Assistant Coach Ashley Mayhue at (478) 256-5692 or ammayhue@valdosta.edu. Pitching Clinic There will be two pitching clinics December 6. The first will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for ages 8-13. The morning clinic will focus on improving the basic fundamentals of pitching. The afternoon clinic will be held from 1-4 p.m. for ages 14 and up. This clinic will focus on improving the fundamentals of each pitch and learning to throw them correctly. The cost of the pitching clinic is $40 if pre-registered, $50 on the day of the camp. Additional pitching clinic information: - If possible, bring a catcher. - Campers must have cleats and a glove. Please be sure to have name written on all equipment. - For any questions, please contact Head Coach Thomas Macera at (229) 563-0599 or tjmacera@valdosta.edu, or Assistant Coach Ashley Mayhue at (478) 256-5692 or ammayhue@valdosta.edu.

Five Lady Blazers Named Academic All-Americans

2009-10-16

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Five Lady Blazers were named as Academic All-Americans for the spring of 2009. Andi Braswell, Amy Brightwell, Audrey Massingill, Julia Fink and four-time Acadmeic All-American Brianna Collis. The five players helped the Lady Blazers on their way to the Gulf South Conference Championship in 2009 and an appearance in the NCAA South Super Regional.

Valdosta State Softball to Host Blood Drive

2009-08-26

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The defending Gulf South Conference Champion Valdosta State Lady Blazer softball team will host a blood drive Monday, August 31 at the P.E. Complex. The drive will take place on the mezzanine of the Complex and will be run as a partnership with the American Red Cross Organization. From the Red Cross website: "Blood is needed for emergencies and for people who have cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell, anemia and other illnesses. Some people need regular blood transfusions to live. "Imagine if giving blood was part of everyone's life. Something you did on a regular basis, like eating at your favorite restaurant. What kind of difference would that make? For nearly 5 million people who receive blood transfusions every year, your donation can make the difference between life and death." Click here for the Red Cross top 10 reasons to give blood.

Softball Walk on Tryouts

2009-07-30

Softball walk on tryouts will be held Wednesday, August 26, 2009 starting at 3 p.m. at the Softball Complex. First, there are five things you need to know. 1) Must be enrolled at Valdosta State as a full-time student 2) Must provide proof of a medical examination within six months before the tryout. 3) Must be NCAA qualified 4) Must download and complete the waiver form and have it at the tryout. Contact Information: Head Coach Thomas Macera tjmacera@valdosta.edu (229) 333-7405

Braswell, Littlefield, Shirey Make All-America

2009-05-21

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Three of the most reliable Lady Blazers were named to All-American teams this week. Marti Littlefield made first team Daktronics All-America. She also made the 2009 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-Americans third team. Meanwhile, Andi Braswell was named to the NFCA second team. Alyssa Shirey received third team honors with Littlefield and an honorable mention on the Daktronics All-America list. The three combined for 53 home runs and 229 runs batted in on the season. Littlefield was the only freshman to make the Daktronics All-America first team. She is also the only player in the nation with more than 100 RBIs and she tied for the lead in home runs with 25. Braswell was the most consistent hitter for Valdosta State all season. She finished hitting .436, but was as high as second in the nation in batting average. She finished with the most hits on the team (96) and tied with Littlefield for the most doubles (18). Braswell was also a perfect 11 for 11 on stolen bases and struck out a mere 10 times all season. Shirey was the second biggest hitter on the team, belting 17 homers on the year. She is such a good hitter in the fourth spot that she forced teams to pitch to Littlefield. With 64 RBIs, 13 doubles and 75 hits on the year, Shirey showed her prowess with the bat. She also showed her toughness by leading the team in hits by pitch with 12. Littlefield and Shirey will return next season to build on their success.

Valdosta State Falls to Alabama-Huntsville

2009-05-16

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Alabama-Huntsville shut out Valdosta State for the second consecutive game Saturday to win, 3-0. The only shutouts of VSU's season came this weekend in Huntsville as the Chargers proved to be too much for an outstanding Lady Blazer squad. After losing, 2-0, Friday, VSU had to take two games from UAH Saturday. They couldn't muster one. In the third inning, Huntsville's Erin Duke hit a solo homer for the early Charger lead. In the sixth, Alabama-Huntsville expanded it with two more runs for a 3-0 win. Valdosta State had opportunities nearly every inning. VSU stranded eight runners on base and was able to get the lead hitter on base in each of the first five innings. Each time, Valdosta State was able to move the player to second, but never in for a score. The Lady Blazers were still able to pile up the hits though. Five players notched six hits with Stephanie Carlson leading the way with two. The others with hits were Andi Braswell, Melessa Jackson, Becca Aszman and April Hutchens. Alabama-Huntsville was able to notch eight hits on the team's way to three runs to force Valdosta State to drop to 57-8 on the season and out of the tournament.

VSU Drops First One

2009-05-15

VALDOSTA, Ga. - In a scoreless game, Caitlin Lee hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to break the tie. Valdosta State couldn't come back, so Alabama-Huntsville claimed the first of a three-game series by a score of 2-0. Holly Satterfield was charged with the loss. She only allowed three hits all day and struck out one. UAH's Whitney Hawkins struck out four and allowed four hits, but the Lady Blazers could not capitalize. The four hits came from Melessa Jackson, Marti Littlefield, Stephanie Carlson and Becca Aszman. Two of VSU's hits came in the sixth inning. Jackson hit a single to left field just over the third baseman's head, and Littlefield followed it up with a fast-moving shot up the middle. Alyssa Shirey was next up to bat and took her 12th hit by pitch of the season to load the bases. With the bases juiced, Carlson hit a rocket, but Kathryn Whitlock snagged the ball and the third out of the inning to ruin Valdosta State's best opportunity to score. With the loss, Valdosta State needs to win both games tomorrow. If the weather permits, they will be played at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. if necessary. Check www.vstateblazers.com for updates if the game times need to be changed due to weather.

More Regional Honors for Lady Blazers

2009-05-14

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Five Lady Blazers were named to the 2009 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II All-Region Team. Holly Satterfield, Becca Aszman, Marti Littlefield, Andi Braswell and Alyssa Shirey were all named to the South Region second team. Valdosta State had the second most players named to the team. Satterfield was one of just three pitchers to be so honored from the Gulf South Conference. Aszman was one of two catchers selected and the only one from the GSC. Littlefield was the only GSC shortstop to be selected while Braswell joined Alabama-Huntsville's Beth Lawson as the only third basemen selected to the team. Shirey was named in the utility/non-pitcher spot, joining another UAH Charger, Kristina Prater. With five Lady Blazers named to the team, Valdosta State is second only to Alabama-Huntsville (six) in players named to the team. The two outstanding teams will meet in the super regional at 4:30 p.m. Friday and again at 2 p.m. Saturday. There will be a third game played, if necessary, at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Braswell Named South Region Player of the Year

2009-05-13

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State is one of just two teams from the South Region that are still alive in the NCAA Softball Tournament, so it's no surprise that four players from the squad were named All-South Region headlined by Andi Braswell. Braswell took the Player of the Year honors for the South Region and was named to the All-South second team. Joining Braswell on the team is Marti Littlefield, Alyssa Shirey and Melessa Jackson. Littlefield and Shirey each made the first team while Jackson took second team honors. It's clear why Braswell earned the top honor in the region. She is currently hitting .442 for the season with 69 runs scored. She's blasted 11 home runs and 64 runs batted in. Braswell has hit 18 doubles on the season and is a perfect 11 for 11 in stolen bases. She started 62 games this season. The senior has only struck out nine times, and has been just as good defensively at third base as she has been in the batter's box. Littlefield has been a monster for the Lady Blazers. She belted 25 homers and hit in 103 RBIs, both Gulf South Conference and Valdosta State records. She hits .424 on the season and is coming off South Region Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors for her two-run homer in the sixth inning to earn the opportunity for Valdosta State to play for the South Region Championship. She started all 63 games the Lady Blazers have played to date. Shirey has had the misfortune of batting behind Littlefield who usually cleans the bases, but Shirey is no slouch. Playing both catcher and right field this season, Shirey has 17 homers on the year with 62 RBIs. She hits .401 on the year and leads the team in hits by pitchers with 10. Shirey started 61 of 62 games played for VSU this season. Jackson has been a mainstay at center field for Valdosta State this year. She completes the fearsome foursome for VSU at the top of the lineup. She bats second from the left side and is hitting .348 on the year. She started 61 games this season and scored 51 runs. She is nine for 10 on stolen bases and hit 23 RBIs. Look for all four to be an integral part of the team's efforts against Alabama-Huntsville in a best two out of three series this weekend to determine the South Region Champion.

Valdosta State Continues National Play

2009-05-12

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Lady Blazer tennis and softball along with Blazer baseball will all compete in national tournaments this weekend. Valdosta State's softball team travels to Huntsville, Ala. to face Alabama-Huntsville in a best two out of three series for the NCAA South Regional Championship and the right to go to the eight-team national tournament in Virginia. The games are scheduled for Friday at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. if the third game is necessary. The Lady Blazers split with the Chargers in the only two games they played this season. Valdosta State won the first, 4-2, while UAH came back in the second to win 9-4. Lady Blazer tennis travels to Orlando this weekend for nationals. There are only 16 women's tennis teams left, and Valdosta State will start the tournament against Northwood at 4 p.m. Wednesday. If the red and black win, the Lady Blazers will face the winner of Montana State-Billings and Hawaii Pacific at 1 p.m. Thursday. In the case VSU wins that match as well, the team will compete against an opponent to be determined at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Lady Blazers have already beaten Hawaii Pacific, 6-3, March 29, but have yet to face any of the other teams. Blazer baseball will begin South Regional play against Barry, the Sunshine State Conference champion and second seed in the region, at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday. Southern Arkansas will host the tournament as the top seed in the region while VSU is the seventh seed. The tournament will run through Monday. Be sure to follow your Blazer and Lady Blazer action at www.vstateblazers.com or on Talk Radio 92.1.

Lady Blazers Head to South Region Championship

2009-05-10

Sunday
Game 6: Valdosta State Beat Nova Southeastern, 5-4 - Box Score VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State beat Nova Southeastern, 5-4, for the opportunity to face Alabama-Huntsville for the NCAA South Region Championship. Six Lady Blazers made the All-Tournament Team with Marti Littlefield being recognized as the Most Outstanding Player. Her game-winning two-run homer helped her win the award. Nova Southeastern out hit VSU, 10-8, but the Lady Blazers were more efficient. Stephanie Carlson hit a two-run shot in the second inning, and Littlefield's came in the seventh. Carlson's hitting coupled with great defense helped her get named to the All-Tournament Team. April Hutchens also made the team, and was great at the plate for Valdosta State with a two for three day while Brianna Collis went one for two and pitched 3.1 innings. Collis struck out four and allowed one earned run on the day, her only one of the tournament. She was also named to the All-Tournament Team. Carlson picked up where she left off at the Gulf South Conference Tournament to start the scoring Sunday. After Alyssa Shirey reached first base on a walk, Carlson bombed her first home run of the tournament. Nova Southeastern responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the second inning. Erica Barrabi reached on an error and made her way around the bases. It was the only run VSU allowed in an inning the Sharks spent most of the time with bases loaded. In the fourth inning, Collis worked the count for a walk. After that, Becca Aszman singled to left field. Hutchens followed Aszman with a single of her own to left center. The NSU centerfielder tried to make the throw to third, but put it in the dugout. Amber Shaw, running for Collis, scored on the play to make it 3-1 for the Lady Blazers. Again the Sharks responded to Valdosta State's score with one of their own. Nova's Dana Bergner earned a walk. Katie Pepper entered the game to pinch run for Bergner and scored on a hit by Noemi Luciani. Lauren Lopez tied the game with a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning. The Sharks scored in their third consecutive inning when Luciani came home while Lopez reached on an error. The run put NSU ahead one headed to the top of the seventh inning, 4-3. In the last inning though, Littlefield's big bat returned. She regained the lead with her two-run homer for VSU, 5-4. Her 102nd and 103rd runs batted in and her 25th homer of the season proved to be the final blow to Nova Southeastern. Friday, Valdosta State will meet Alabama-Huntsville for just the third time this season. The teams will play a best of three series with one game scheduled Friday and two Saturday. The Complete All-Tournament Team is as follows: Pitcher: VSU - Senior Brianna Collis Pitcher: VSU - Sophomore Holly Satterfield Catcher: FSC - Sophomore Heather Raulerson Infield: VSU - Freshman April Hutchens Infield: NSU - Junior Noemi Luciani Infield: FSC - Junior Elli Howell Infield: VSU - Junior Stephanie Carlson Outfield: NSU - Junior Patty Rivero Outfield: VSU - Sophomore Melessa Jackson Outfield: NSU - Sophomore Rachel Talenfeld Designated Player: NSU - Junior Brittney Lamb At-Large: Tampa - Sophomore Deanna Henriott At-Large: VSU - Freshman Marti Littlefield Most Outstanding Player: VSU - Freshman Marti Littlefield Saturday
Game 3: Valdosta State beat Nova Southeastern - Box Score Game 4: Florida Southern beat Tampa - Box Score Game 5: Nova Southeastern beat Florida Southern - Box Score VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State continued the team's undefeated streak in postseason play with a 1-0 victory over Nova Southeastern Saturday to move to 56-6 on the season and into the finals against Nova yet again. The Sharks beat Florida Southern for the second time this weekend for the opportunity to play VSU for the chance to win the NCAA South Regional next weekend. In Saturday's opener, Andi Braswell was hit in by Alyssa Shirey in the third inning. Melessa Jackson led the team in hits on a two for three day. Marti Littlefield and Stephanie Carlson joined Jackson and Shirey for the only VSU hits in the game. Brianna Collis and Holly Satterfield both saw time in the game with Collis picking up the win and Satterfield the save. Only three Sharks were able to hit off of the duo, and they struck five out. In the second game of the day, Florida Southern sent Tampa home after a close 8-6 battle. There were 18 hits in the game with the Mocs notching 10. The big inning was in the fourth when Florida Southern scored five runs, and Tampa responded with four. In the fifth inning the Mocs put up three runs to Tampa's two, and those two innings would be the difference in the game. With the win in game four of the tournament, Florida Southern went on to face Nova Southeastern for the second time this weekend. Both teams scored one run in the opening frame, but the Sharks scored two more in the third inning and rattled off 14 hits in the game. Already with a two-run lead, NSU added to it in the seventh inning with two more runs. That would make the final score, 5-1, and end Florida Southern's season. Game 1: NSU beat FSC Game 2: VSU beat Tampa Game 3: VSU beat NSU Game 4: FSC beat Tampa Game 5: NSU beat FSC Game 6: VSU vs. NSU - 1:30 p.m. Game 7 to be played 45 minutes after game 6 if necessary Friday
Game 1: Nova Southeastern beat Florida Southern - Box Score Game 2: Valdosta State beat Tampa - Box Score VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State capitalized on four errors in the second inning to put Tampa away, 5-0, on the first day of the NCAA South Regional Tournament. Nova Southeastern upset Florida Southern in the first game of the day with a 2-0 victory. In addition to the Tampa errors, Valdosta State rattled off five hits coming from Andi Braswell, Melessa Jackson, Alyssa Shirey, Stephanie Carlson and April Hutchens. Hutchens' hit was just one of many highlights she provided on the day. She continued her outstanding defensive play, highlighted by a diving stop late in the game. All five runs were unearned, even though there were three hits in the inning. Shirey led off in the second inning with a single on a deep hit to left field. To follow, Carlson laid down a bunt that came to a complete stop inches away from home plate. The Tampa catcher could not make a clean throw to first. With two on, Becca Aszman hit a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third. Then Brianna Collis reached on an error by first base. After that, Hutchens hit a fly ball to right field. The outfielder could not handle the catch, but Amber Shaw, running for Shirey, scored on the play. Braswell made the second hit of the inning into left center to score Carlson. Jackson followed it with a hit up the middle over the pitcher's head. Collis and Hutchens both scored on the play. The final run of the second inning and the game came, fittingly, on an error. Marti Littlefield reached on the first baseman's second error of the inning while Braswell scored. Nothing but five scoreless innings came after that thanks to great pitching from Holly Satterfield. She notched seven strikeouts on the day, and only allowed one hit. That with four hits made for only five Tampa base runners all day. The tournament opener was played closer, and Nova Southeastern, the sixth seed, was able to upset Florida Southern, the third seed. Florida Southern left five base runners on base throughout the first four innings, but would only see one Moc reach first in the final three innings. Meanwhile, the Sharks heated up as the game went on to the tune of seven hits in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Jessica Hernandez started the fifth inning with a double down the left field line. After that, she scored on a bunt that turned into a double from Brittney Lamb. Her bunt was just out of reach of Florida Southern pitcher Brittany Minton. The ball trickled to second baseman Peggy Alex at such a slow rate that Lamb was able to leg it out to second base. In the sixth inning, Noemi Luciani singled to left and stole a base. On April Donachie's single to center. Now the bracket is set as follows: Friday Game 1: Nova Southeastern beat Florida Southern, 2-0 Game 2: Valdosta State beat Tampa, 5-0 Saturday Game 3: Valdosta State vs. Nova Southeastern - 1:30 p.m. Game 4: Florida Southern vs. Tampa - 4 p.m. Game 5: Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3 - 6:30 p.m. Sunday Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5 - 1:30 p.m. Game 7 to be played 45 minutes after Game 6, if necessary Click here for live stats.

VSU, Carlson Earn Honors

2009-05-06

VALDOSTA, Ga. - In the final week for weekly awards from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, Stephanie Carlson was named the National Player of the Week. In addition to her individual achievement, the Lady Blazers moved to third in the national poll, passing up Alabama-Huntsville, which took the fifth spot. The #3 national ranking is the highest the Lady Blazers have been selected all season. Claiming the Gulf South Conference Championship this past weekend helped the team move up, and Carlson helped the team earn the championship. In each of VSU's three tournament games, it was Carlson's hitting that won it for Valdosta State. Two of Carlson's home runs came against GSC Pitchers of the Year. The junior from Surrey, British Columbia hit .438 for the week and an eye-popping .600 for the tournament. Carlson and the Lady Blazers will look to keep their success going this weekend at the NCAA Regional Tournament to be hosted by Valdosta State.

NCAA South Region Tournament Central

2009-05-04

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State's spring teams have stood out this season, so much so that two teams will host NCAA South Regional Tournaments. Softball along with women's tennis will be hosting a number of teams looking to move on to the NCAA National Championship. In addition to our tournaments to be hosted at home, the Valdosta State men's tennis team will head to Lynn for the NCAA South Regional Tournament while Blazer golf is currently teeing it off at their regional tournament. VSU's baseball team is battling it out at the Gulf South Conference Tournament for a possible regional bid as well. The competition in Valdosta starts Thursday with the women's tennis tournament. The Lady Blazers will host Tuskegee, Nova Southeastern, West Florida and Florida Southern. The bracket is set as follows: Women's Tennis Bracket Thursday - 3 p.m.: Tuskegee vs. Nova Southeastern (Game 1) Friday - 9 a.m.: West Florida vs. Florida Southern (Game 2) Friday - 1 p.m.: Valdosta State vs. Winner Game 1 (Game 3) Saturday - 9 a.m.: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 2 (Championship) Meanwhile, Lady Blazer softball will host Florida Southern and Nova Southeastern like tennis, along with Tampa. Valdosta State holds the top seed in this bracket of the regional tournament with the #2 seed in the overall region. Florida Southern is the third seed while Nova Southeastern and Tampa are the six and seven seeds respectively. The schedule for the softball tournament is as follows: Softball Bracket Friday 4 p.m.: #3 Florida Southern vs. #6 Nova Southeastern (Game 1) 6:30 p.m.: #2 Valdosta State vs. #7 Tampa (Game 2) Saturday 1:30 p.m.: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 (Game 3) 4 p.m.: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 (Game 4) 6:30 p.m. Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3 (Game 5) Sunday 1:30 p.m.: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5 (Game 6) Game 7 to be played 45 minutes after Game 6, if necessary. Admission to the tennis tournament will be completely free and open to the public. Pricing for the softball tournament is as follows: Tickets Day Tickets Adult - $5 Senior (65 ) - $3 Student (Age 12 - Non-VSU College with ID) - $3 Youth (Ages 1-11) - $2 VSU Students - FREE Tournament Pass Adult - $12 Senior (65 ) - $7 Student (Age 12 - Non-VSU College with ID) - $7 Youth (Ages 1-11) - $5 VSU Students - FREE Note: VSU Season Passes are not valid for this tournament. There will be no complimentary admissions provided to any game or session. Parking Tennis Parking will be accessible in the P.E. Complex lot (except during VSU graduation Saturday morning) and the Oak Street lot throughout the tournament. Softball The Billy Grant Field lot will be open for parking. The small lot immediately in front of the softball field house is reserved for Tournament Staff only while the parking area immediately adjacent to the softball field is reserved for umpire and handicapped vehicles only. Prohitibed Items - Weapons of any type - Flash photography - Video cameras - Outside food or drink - Tobacco and alcohol

Valdosta State Claims Gulf South Conference Championship

2009-05-02

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - After being down for most of the game, Valdosta State, led by Stephanie Carlson, beat Arkansas Tech, 5-3, to claim the team's second Gulf South Conference Championship, first under Head Coach Thomas Macera. Carlson hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to bring VSU back from a 3-1 deficit. Becca Aszman topped it off with another home run immediately after to make the final score, 5-3. Carlson was two for three with three runs batted in and one run scored. She was easily the most valuable player throughout the entire tournament for VSU. She hit .600 on the weekend which was also her on base percentage. She did it without any errors in the field and tallied seven RBIs and three homers with a 1.500 slugging percentage. April Hutchens joined Azman and Carlson with a home run to start the Lady Blazers in the fifth inning. Her solo shot made it 3-1, but the Lady Blazers finished it off in the sixth. Arkansas Tech scored in the fourth inning with a solo home run from the team leader, Tiphani Moon. In the fifth inning, thanks to Lady Blazer errors, Arkansas Tech scored two more runs. When Valdosta State put in Brianna Collis though, the Golden Suns had no answer. On their run through the Gulf South Conference tournament, the Lady Blazers went through both Gulf South Pitchers of the Year in Jillian Lafrance from West Florida and Casey Hammons from ATU. After going through the lineup two times against both pitchers, VSU reminded everyone of the power in the lineup with late rallies. The Lady Blazers will move on to be one of two hosts of the NCAA South Regional Tournament next weekend. It will start Friday and be concluded on Sunday. Box Score

Lady Blazers Undefeated at GSC Tourney

2009-05-01

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - Valdosta State started the Gulf South Conference tournament with two wins Friday over Ouachita Baptist, 2-1, and West Florida, 8-4. To add to the wins, Marti Littlefield broke another record. With two home runs in a great come from behind victory over West Florida, Littlefield became the sole owner of the Gulf South Conference record for most home runs in a season with 24. The first game was tied much of the seven innings played, and the Lady Blazers only tallied four hits in the game along with two important runs batted in. Brianna Collis earned the win. OBU played Valdosta State well. In fact, the Lady Tigers scored in the first inning to grab an early lead that lasted until the bottom of the fourth inning. Becca Aszman hit Littlefield in to tie the game. The game went scoreless after that until Stephanie Carlson led off in the bottom of the seventh inning. After working to a count of two and two, Carlson started to foul the ball. After three straight fouls she ended the game with a solo home run for the win. West Florida proved to be the most entertaining game of the day. Littlefield had the big game going two for three with three runs and two RBIs. Alyssa Shirey also stepped up to go three for four with one RBI and two runs while Carlson had another great game with a two for four performance with three RBIs and two runs scored. April Hutchens was a perfect three for three with one RBI. VSU faced GSC East rival West Florida for the fifth time this season. As the visiting team, the Lady Blazers started off hitting and scored a run early with the record tying homer from Littlefield. Unfortunately, the Argonauts fought back in the bottom of the first to score three runs and take the lead. Later, Shirey homered in the top of the fourth inning to pull Valdosta State within one, 3-2. West Florida again responded to VSU, this time with a home run to regain the two-run lead. With her second home run of the game, Littlefield broke the GSC record and made it three runs for VSU. In the next at bat, Shirey singled to reach first base followed by a deep single to left field from Carlson. Aszman stepped up afterward to hit a line drive past West Florida's third baseman to score Joy Perry, pinch running for Shirey. Hutchens kept the rally going with another shot past third base to score Carlson and earn the first lead, 5-4, for VSU since the first inning. After intentionally walking Littlefield in the seventh inning, West Florida gave up a hit to Shirey. It proved to be a big mistake. With those runners on second and third, Carlson hit her second homer of the day. The three-run shot pushed the VSU lead to 8-4 in the top of the seventh inning. Valdosta State would go on to hold through the bottom of the inning to win. The Lady Blazers will face Arkansas Tech at 1 p.m. Saturday. The surviving team will be the only undefeated team left in the Gulf South tournament. Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

Six Lady Blazers Named All-GSC

2009-04-29

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Gulf South Conference released this season's All-Gulf South Conference squad on Wednesday, and it's no surprise the team with the most wins in the Gulf South would be well represented. The Lady Blazers, top seed headed into the GSC Tournament, placed six players on the team including four first teamers. Topping the list of first teamers for the Lady Blazers is Marti Littlefield, who was also tabbed the GSC East Freshman of the Year. Becca Aszman, Melessa Jackson and Alyssa Shirey join Littlefield on the first squad. Representing Valdosta State on the second team is Holly Satterfield and the Gulf South leader in batting average, Andi Braswell. The all-star group helped lead the Lady Blazers to 51 wins this season, and a #5 ranking in the nation. The squad will battle to add Gulf South Conference Champion to their resume at the GSC Tournament in Southaven, Miss. this Friday through Sunday.

Collis Named Pitcher of the Week

2009-04-28

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Valdosta State's Brianna Collis was named the Gulf South Conference's Pitcher of the Week for her performance this past weekend against West Florida. She only threw for 2.2 innings in the doubleheader, but they were crucial. She did not allow a hit and struck out four batters to earn the win. With the win she moved to 13-1 on the season and helped the Lady Blazers capture the East Division crown for the first time since 2007. It was another week that she turned in a 0.00 earned run average. Collis is at 1.06 ERA for the season. Collis and company will look to lead the Lady Blazers to the top of the GSC this weekend at the GSC Tournament in Southaven, Miss. Valdosta State is the top seed in the tournament and will start off at 12 p.m. against Ouachita Baptist on Friday.

Lady Blazers Make it a 51-win Season

2009-04-27

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State notched it's 50th and 51st wins of the season with a sweep over Albany State Monday night. Brianna Collis moved to 13-1 with a 9-1 victory in the first game, and Margaret Carter earned her 16th win of the season with the 5-0 win in game two. Andi Braswell paced the Lady Blazers in the first game with a perfect three for three performance, one of which was a home run. She was two for four with a run batted in for the second game. April Hutchens was two for three in game one with five RBIs and two runs scored. She was one for three in the second game. Also helping out in game one was Stephanie Carlson with a one for three game with a run scored and an RBI. Melessa Jackson joined Braswell with a two for four performance in game two. She also scored two runs. Alyssa Shirey and Clare Wamsley were both two for three in the game while four others had one hit. Valdosta State started quick with a leadoff home run from Braswell. The next runs didn't come until the fourth, but they came all at once when Hutchens hit a grand slam. Albany State countered with a run in the fifth, but the Lady Blazers responded. Carlson hit a solo homer. Soon after, Hutchens hit a double on which Becca Aszman scored. In the next at bat, Wamsley hit a ball to deep center that the ASU centerfielder couldn't handle. On the error, VSU scored the final two runs of the game to put the run rule in effect, 9-1. The Lady Blazers started quickly again in game two. Shirey doubled to drive in Jackson for the first run of the game in the first inning. In the second inning, Collis doubled to get on base and scored VSU's second run on a Wamsley single. To keep hitting well, Wamsley busted a home run in the fourth inning. Valdosta State continued to score in the fifth. Marti Littlefield hit a grounder down the left line for a double that scored Jackson from second. In the sixth inning, Hutchens made it on base with a single and scored later off a Braswell single to make it 5-0 headed to the seventh. Valdosta State's next action will come at the Gulf South Conference tournament in Southaven, Miss. May 1-3 where the Lady Blazers are the top seed. Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

VSU Puts Away the Argos

2009-04-26

VALDOSTA, Ga. - After a week off, Valdosta State returned to post two victories over West Florida Sunday. It took extra innings in the first game, but VSU triumphed, 10-8. With a 7-3 win in the second game, the Lady Blazers clinched the top seed in the Gulf South Conference tournament to be played May 1-3. Margaret Carter earned the first win in relief while Brianna Collis took the second win, also in relief. The two moved to 15-3 and 12-1 respectively. Both teams posted a number of runs in the first game of the day, but it was Marti Littlefield who hit the walk-off home run. She was three for five with three runs and five runs batted in the first game. Melessa Jackson was two for five with three runs and three RBIs in game one. Six others were one of four in the game. In the second game, Andi Braswell was two of four with one RBI while Clare Wamsley was two of four with two runs and two RBIs. Four others were one for three in the game. In game one, after falling behind in the top of the third on a home run by Kristee Wheeler, the Lady Blazers came back with a vengeance in the bottom of the inning. Becca Aszman started the run with a single. April Hutchens followed Aszman with a single of her own, and then Braswell walked. With the bases loaded Jackson hit a single that drove in Aszman and Hutchens. Next, Littlefield hit a double that brought in Braswell. With the score 3-1, Stephanie Carlson singled to bring in Jackson and Littlefield and claim a 5-1 lead headed into the fourth. After Littlefield hit a two-run shot for her 21st home run of the season, West Florida mounted a furious comeback to pull within one. In the top of the seventh inning UWF scored the tying run on a VSU error. In the ninth inning, West Florida's Melissa Chastang hit a solo home run to gain the first lead of the game for UWF. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Braswell was able to land a hit to right field for a double. Jackson hit Braswell home with a deep double to left field to tie it up. Next up to hit was record-setting freshman Littlefield. She didn't disappoint. She sent a two-run homer over left center to notch one more victory for Valdosta State, 10-8. Aszman started game two off with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning. Later in the inning, Wamsley singled to get on base. She made her way around the bases for VSU's second run of the game. The Argonauts responded with one run in the top of the third. West Florida gained the lead on a two-run homer from Kat Pursell in the top of the fifth, but the Lady Blazers came back to post five runs in the sixth inning. After holding UWF in the seventh, Valdosta State took game two by a score of 7-3. The Lady Blazers will next be in action in a doubleheader against Albany State at 5 p.m. Monday. It will be VSU's last game in Valdosta before the Gulf South Conference tournament. Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

Braswell the Blogger

2009-04-23

VALDOSTA, Ga. - In an effort to publicize the great softball being played in the Gulf South Conference, the GSC has chosen a select few to blog about their experiences on the diamond as a part of the Diamond Journal. Valdosta State's own Andi Braswell has been tabbed as a contributor. Braswell will dedicate a few paragraphs every week to the Diamond Journal. This week, she takes a look back at one of the most eventful weekends for Lady Blazer softball this season. Look for a new installment of Braswell's blog every Thursday on the GSC Facebook page. As a senior, Braswell brings a wealth of softball experience to the blog. She was the perfect choice because she is not only one of the best players in the Gulf South, but Braswell is tops in the nation. Helping VSU to a top three ranking in batting average, Braswell's 0.475 leads the team and is 17th in the nation. She has ranked as high as second nationally this season. She is also top 30 in runs scored per game, toughest players to strike out, runs batted in per game and on base percentage. Braswell has scored 64 runs, hit 60 RBIs and 27 hits for extra bases, including 10 home runs this season. She has only struck out six times all year. Braswell and company have led the team to a 47-6 overall record and 21-2 in the Gulf South. The team is currently ranked seventh in the nation and second in the South Region. The Lady Blazers face West Florida Sunday at 3 p.m. in the team's final conference game before the GSC tournament.

Lady Blazers Too Much for Wolves

2009-04-19

CARROLLTON, Ga. - Valdosta State softball continued to terrorize the Gulf South Conference with two victories over West Georgia. After squeaking by in the first game, 7-6, the Lady Blazers turned it on in game two to win 10-2 in five innings. In game one, Holly Satterfield earned the win, but Margaret Carter and Brianna Collis also pitched in the game. The trio combined to allow 10 hits and six runs, only two of which were earned. Carter had three strikeouts while Collis and Satterfield combined for three strikeouts. Satterfield pitched the bulk of game two, but Carter entered the game in relief. The two combined to give up five hits and five strikeouts. Satterfield gave up two runs and four walks. In game one, the Lady Blazers were in a rare position: down early. Behind, 3-0, Valdosta State rallied in the third with a three-run homer from Alyssa Shirey. She was two for four in game one. Then, in the fifth, Stephanie Carlson gave VSU its first lead of the day, 6-5, with another three-run shot over right field. West Georgia came back to tie the game in the sixth inning, but it would not be enough. With Collis on second, Becca Aszman singled down the left side to bring in Collis and the winning run. The Wolves could not respond in the bottom of the seventh, and VSU took game one, 7-6. Carlson and Aszman were both two of four in the game while April Hutchens was one for three along with Melessa Jackson. Game two proved to be a different story. The Lady Blazers jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first and expanded it with four more runs in the second. Carlson notched two more RBIs with a single to left field that brought in Andi Braswell and Jackson. Carlson then came home off an Aszman double, and Hutchens brought in Aszman with a double of her own. With VSU's third consecutive double, Clare Wamsley brought in Hutchens before West Georgia could end the first inning. In the second, Braswell reached on a walk and scored on a Marti Littlefield single. Littlefield came home on a single by Aszman. Hutchens knocked her second double in as many at bats to score Shirey and Aszman and claim a 9-0 lead in the second inning. West Georgia responded with two runs in the bottom of the second but would not score again. In the fourth, Carlson homered to make it 10-2. The Valdosta State defense held strong throughout the fourth and fifth innings to force an early ending due to the run rule. In game two, four Lady Blazers were two of three with three of them notching a combined eight RBIs. Three others went one of two in the game. The Lady Blazers get a week off before they snap back to action at home at 3 p.m. Sunday in a doubleheader with West Florida. Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

Lady Blazers Tame Tigers

2009-04-18

LIVINGSTON, Ala. - Valdosta State kept hitting Saturday for wins of 10-2 and 9-0 over West Alabama to move to 45-6 overall and 19-2 in the Gulf South. Holly Satterfield earned the first win of the day with six innings pitched. She allowed five hits and two runs and struck three out. Margaret Carter pitched the full five innings of the second game and only gave up two hits and one walk. She struck five out. As usual, both pitchers received ample support from the VSU offense. Alyssa Shirey was one for three with a homer and four runs batted in for the first game. Stephanie Carlson and Becca Aszman each knocked in two RBIs. Kristie Cornell was two for three and scored two runs in game one along with Carlson and Andi Braswell. In the second game, Braswell was one for four but put up three RBIs and two runs. Melessa Jackson brought in two RBIs on a one for four performance while Marti Littlefield brought in one RBI and scored a run on two of four at the plate. April Hutchens was a perfect two for two with two runs scored and one RBI, and Cornell went two for three with another RBI. Shirey was one of two with a run in game two. The Lady Blazers hit the Tigers with their big bats early and often in the first game of the day. Braswell and Jackson both reached base on the fault of Aubree Hudson, West Alabama's pitcher. She walked Braswell and hit Jackson. With those two on base, Shirey sent out her 15th home run of the season to claim an early 3-0 lead. After that, Cornell doubled, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on the same error on which Carlson reached first. Carlson came home on a double from Aszman. And that was just the first inning. Hudson would not pitch again in the game. West Alabama responded to the five-run onslaught with a homer from Lauren Mills, but saw Valdosta State score two more runs in the third. Kornell came home on a Carlson homer. Again, the Tigers were able to answer, but only with one run. Ashley Edgar hit a double and came home on a double from Mills. West Alabama would not score again, but VSU put up three more runs in the sixth inning to keep the game from going to seven. Aszman started the inning with a solo homer, her third of the year, and Hutchens hit a double the next at bat. Braswell reached on a fielder's choice next. Then, with Hutchens and Braswell on base, Littlefield and Shirey brought them both home to finish the game one, 10-2. The Lady Blazers did not slow down in game two. In the first inning, Littlefield scored on a Cornell single. In the second inning, Littlefield and Braswell each notched an RBI as VSU scored three more runs to make it 4-0 early. In the fifth inning, Hutchens notched her second RBI of the day with a shot up the middle to bring in Shirey and push the score to 5-0. With the win in their sights, the Lady Blazers turned it on to score four more runs in the fifth. Braswell singled up the middle to score Hutchens and Clare Wamsley. Then Jackson doubled to right center to bring in Braswell and Amy Brightwell. In the bottom of the fifth, the Lady Blazer defense shut down West Alabama to secure the win, 9-0. Valdosta State will face West Georgia at 12 p.m. in Carrollton, Ga. Sunday. Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

Two Home Runs Propel Lady Blazers

2009-04-14

Pensacola, Fla. - In Valdosta State's third Gulf South doubleheader in a row, the Lady Blazers swept West Florida with just two runs scored all day. Andi Braswell and Alyssa Shirey each hit game-winning home runs to claim matching 1-0 victories to propel the Lady Blazers to 43-6 overall and 17-2 in conference action. Holly Satterfield went the full seven innings in game one with eight strikeouts to move to 16-2 on the year. She walked three and gave up seven hits. West Florida's pitcher only gave up five hits in the game, but Braswell's 10th homer of the year in the third inning proved to be enough for the win. Marti Littlefield was two for three in the game while Shirey and April Hutchens were both one for three. In game two, Margaret Carter gave up six hits in seven innings and notched three strikeouts and two walks to move to 13-3 for the season. While Braswell's long ball came in the third inning, the Lady Blazers had to sweat out game two for a bit. Four players were one for three and two went one for two, but Shirey's 14th home run of the season did not come until the very last inning of play. The Argonauts had a chance to answer, but would not. Valdosta State will look to continue the team's strong play Saturday at 12 p.m. against West Alabama. Both teams split in their last meeting in Valdosta. Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

Top Teams in the Country Play to a Split

2009-04-11

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Alabama-Huntsville and Valdosta State proved they are two of the best teams in the nation with two entertaining games Saturday. The Lady Blazers moved to 41-6 overall and 15-2 in the Gulf South Conference to stay ahead of UAH in the East Division standings. Holly Satterfield led the Lady Blazers to a 4-2 win in the first game, but the combination of Brianna Collis and Margaret Carter could not get past the Chargers in the second game. Alabama-Huntsville took it by a score of 9-4. Valdosta State's win was UAH pitcher Caitlin Lee's first loss of her two-season career. In a very defensive game, Andi Braswell did the best at the plate with a two for three performance. Melessa Jackson was the only other Lady Blazer above .500 in the first game. She finished one for two with a run. Alyssa Shirey was one for three with three run batted in, and Stephanie Carlson was also one for three with a run. In the second game, Clare Wamsley was the most consistent hitter with a two for three game with a run. Five others were one for three in the game with home runs from Braswell and Shirey. After being hit in the first inning, Kristina Prater made her way around the bases for the first run of the game. No other runs were scored until the top of the fifth inning. Erin Duke also made her way around the bases after being hit. She was knocked in by Beth Lawson. There was great defense from both teams throughout the day. To get out of the top of the sixth inning, Carlson caught a pop up bunt and rifled it to third for a double play. Carlson provided the momentum VSU needed. In the bottom of the sixth, with bases loaded, Shirey hit a fast-moving grounder to the fence. The hit cleared the bases. Joy Perry, pinch running for Shirey, would score one more run before the end of the sixth to claim VSU's first lead of the day, 4-2. The four runs in the sixth inning would prove to be enough. The Chargers were threatening in the seventh though. With two runners on base Lawson hit a grounder through the middle, but Jackson rifled the ball from shallow center to Becca Aszman at home plate. Aszman tagged Lawson for the final out of the first game. Valdosta State started strong in the second game with a lead off home run from Braswell. The Lady Blazers followed it up with two more runs in the second inning. Wamsley and Aszman made their way around the bases after hitting singles to get on base. Alabama-Huntsville responded with a two-run homer from Lawson with two outs in the third. The Chargers took the lead with three unearned runs in the fifth. After an error from the Lady Blazers with two outs in the inning, Caitlin Lee hit a three-run homer to make it 5-3 in favor of UAH. After one unearned run in the sixth, Lee hit another three-run shot to expand the lead to 9-3. Shirey responded in the bottom of the inning with a solo homer, but it wouldn't be enough. Huntsville solidified the split to keep the question open if both teams meet in a possible postseason match up. The Lady Blazers will see their next action at West Florida in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. Tuesday. Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

Lions No Match for VSU

2009-04-10

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State used a record breaking home run from Marti Littlefield and great pitching from the Holly Satterfield/Brianna Collis duo to take down North Alabama, 7-2, and 2-0. In her third at bat in the first game, Littlefield smashed her 20th home run of the season to pass up Kristina Ely in Valdosta State's record book for most home runs in a season. The Gulf South record is 23 and the NCAA Division II is 28. Both are in reach for Littlefield. She finished the day two for five with three runs and a run batted in. Satterfield put up nine strikeouts in seven innings of play while Collis notched nine in a one-hit shutout. Becca Aszman was the most consistent hitter in the first game with a three for three performance. In the second game, Clare Wamsley matched her while Melessa Jackson was two for three with an RBI and Kristie Cornell was one for two with a run. Alyssa Shirey earned the other RBI in the second game with a one for three game. The Lions picked up an unearned run in the second inning to claim an early lead. Valdosta State's defense picked up in the third though with a leaping catch from Littlefield. In the bottom of the third, VSU's bats started to heat up. The Lady Blazers spent most of the inning with the bases loaded and finished with four runs to take the lead. The next inning Littlefield hit the record breaking homer to start the scoring in the inning. Afterward, Aszman doubled to drive in two runs to make the score 7-1. North Alabama would only score one more run before the end of the game to end it, 7-2. Valdosta State slowed the pace in the second game with great pitching from Collis. With only one hit allowed, the Lady Blazers just had to pick their spots. The two runs it took to win came in the fourth and fifth innings. Cornell made it around the bases after a single in the fourth and Littlefield scored after reaching on a walk in the fifth. That was all it took for VSU to take the second game. The #7 Lady Blazers face #1 Alabama-Huntsville at noon Saturday for Valdosta State's Take a Kid to the Game event. All children 13 and under get free admission when accompanied by an adult. There will also be an Easter egg hunt after the baseball game open to all children. Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

Collis Named GSC Pitcher of the Week

2009-04-09

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Valdosta State's Brianna Collis was named Pitcher of the Week for the East Division by the Gulf South Conference this week. She earned the honor for her performance at the GSC Crossover Softball Tournament last weekend. She continues to pile up weeks with 0.00 earned run averages and has just a 0.91 ERA on the season. Against the West Division at the Crossover she threw 16.2 scoreless innings to help Valdosta State finish 7-0 on the weekend. Her two wins and a save at the Crossover brings her to 10-0 with four saves on the season. She used 16 strikeouts to tally the impressive record at the Crossover and has notched 62 on the year with just two walks. Collis will be in action this weekend in doubleheaders against North Alabama and #1 Alabama-Huntsville on Valdosta State's second annual Take a Kid to the Game event. Don't miss out on Collis' stellar pitching or the festivities. All children 13 and under will be admitted free with a paid adult and will be able to participate in the Easter egg hunt after the baseball game.

Lady Blazers Storm Past Hurricanes

2009-04-08

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State moved to 38-5 on the season with two overpowering victories over Georgia Southwestern Wednesday night. The Lady Blazers run ruled the Canes in both games with Holly Satterfield earning a 10-0 win in the first game, and Brianna Collis and Margaret Carter teaming up for a 13-3 victory in the second. The star of the day was easily Marti Littlefield. Littlefield broke the Gulf South Conference record for most runs batted in for a season with a two-run homer to start the day. She did not stop there. She went on to finish the day five for seven with 10 RBIs for 89 on the year and four runs. She belted a walk-off grand slam to clinch the second win of the day and tie Kristina Ely's Valdosta State record for home runs in a season at 19. The rest of the team made sure they weren't overshadowed by Littlefield's impressive feats. Melessa Jackson and Clare Wamsley each went two for three with two runs in the first game. Three other players were one for two with a run in the first game. In the second game, Andi Braswell was four for five with two RBIs and three runs. Three others were one for three with four runs between them and April Hutchens score three runs in the second game alone. Littlefield's first homer brought in Jackson and claimed a 2-0 lead for the Lady Blazers. Wamsley followed Littlefield's lead with a home run of her own in the second inning. The Lady Blazers exploded in the fourth inning with seven more runs to bring the score to 10-0 headed to the fifth inning. Becca Aszman started the scoring in the inning with a grand slam. The 10 runs proved enough to end the game in the bottom of the fifth by the run rule. In the second game, Valdosta State started strong again with a run in the first. But that was more a gift from Georgia Southwestern than VSU. Jessica Martin walked two hitters then hit one. The Hurricanes earned it back with a home run from Heather Chambers in the second inning. Littlefield put up two more RBIs with a hit down the left field line in the second inning to reclaim the lead for Valdosta State, 3-1. Then, in the top of the fourth inning, Nichole Griffin hit a two-run shot over center field to tie the game. In what was quickly becoming a back and forth game, Braswell hit a ball to center to drive a fast-moving Hutchens home from first. Two hitters later, Littlefield continued to drive in runs with a two-run shot of her own to bring in Braswell. VSU had the chance to end the game with bases loaded in the fifth and no outs, but the Lady Blazers could only put one run on the board. Valdosta State put one more run on the board in the sixth and loaded the bases for Littlefield. Fittingly, she belted a walk-off grand slam to complete her 8 RBI game and 10 RBI day. The Lady Blazers get back in action at 1 p.m. Friday against North Alabama in conference play. Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

Lady Blazers Finish 7-0 at GSC Crossover

2009-04-06

DECATUR, Ala. - Valdosta State put Arkansas Tech away, 4-1, to move to 36-5 overall and finish the Gulf South Crossover Softball Tournament undefeated. In cold weather, Margaret Carter and Brianna Collis combined to allow just one run to the Golden Suns. Carter allowed three hits while Collis gave up two, but also earned three strikeouts. Alyssa Shirey proved to be the difference in the game with a two for three day at the plate. Twice she knocked out two-run home runs making her responsible for all the Valdosta State runs on Monday. Andi Braswell, Melessa Jackson and Kristie Cornell all pitched in with one for three performances. On a day the Lady Blazers were not hitting well, VSU was still able to earn the win. Valdosta State will next be in action at 5 p.m. Wednesday in a doubleheader against Georgia Southwestern at the Softball Complex.

Lady Blazers Continue Onslaught on West

2009-04-05

DECATUR, Ala. - Valdosta State continued the team's onslaught on the West Division in the Gulf South Conference at the GSC Crossover Softball Tournament Sunday. Holly Satterfield notched six strikeouts in a 11-3 win over Christian Brothers, and Brianna Collis put up seven Ks in a 7-0 shutout of Henderson State. Against Christian Brothers, Andi Braswell continued her strong hitting with a perfect four of four performance. She scored three runs while Alyssa Shirey scored two runs en route to a two for three game against Christian Brothers. Shirey continued to hit well against Henderson State with a perfect three for three outing and two more runs. Kristie Cornell jumped in on the action with a perfect two for two day against Christian Brothers. Marti Littlefield hit a double and a home run against CBU on three of four hitting. Even the pitcher swung the bat well for the Lady Blazers Sunday. Collis knocked a two-run homer and scored two runs while she put together a shut out of the Lady Reddies on the mound. Valdosta State will close the tournament with a 10 a.m. game against Arkansas Tech on Monday.

VSU's Offense Leads the Way

2009-04-04

DECATUR, Ala. - Southern Arkansas and Ouachita Baptist proved to be no match for Valdosta State at the Gulf South Conference Crossover Softball Tournament. Holly Satterfield earned the win against Ouachita Baptist, 15-5, with four strikeouts and Margaret Carter and Brianna Collis led the Lady Blazers past Southern Arkansas, 11-4. The Lady Blazers can always lean on their offense and Saturday was no different. Andi Braswell hit a home run in each game and was three of four in the first. She notched three runs, a walk and a homer in game one. Braswell followed it with a two for five performance in the second game. Stephanie Carlson went two of four in the first game and scored two runs, but she shined even brighter in the second game. Carlson was a perfect three for three with a homer. Kristie Cornell also homered in the second game and was three of four at the plate while Clare Wamsley went two of four with a triple. Sunday the Lady Blazers will be tested by Christian Brothers at 10 a.m. and Henderson State at noon.

Valdosta State Starts Strong

2009-04-03

DECATUR, Ala. - Valdosta State started strong in the Gulf South Crossover Softball Tournament with two wins Friday. The Lady Blazers did not allow a run as they took down Delta State, 9-0, and then Arkansas-Monticello, 10-0. Brianna Collis started the first game for Valdosta State and registered five strikeouts. She only allowed one hit in 17 at bats in five innings. To follow the strong performance of Collis, Holly Satterfield did not allow a hit in five more innings against Arkansas-Monticello. She walked one and struck out seven in the dominating performance. As usual, both pitchers received strong support from the VSU offense. Marti Littlefield went one for two with a run and an RBI in the first game. Kristie Cornell did the same in the first game and produced a two for three performance with run and an RBI in the second game. The standout in the first game was April Hutchens. She went two for three with two runs scored and two RBIs. She was a perfect one for one in the second game with two runs scored. Alyssa Shirey stepped up big against UAM with a two for three performance with three RBIs, one run scored and a home run. Andi Braswell and Melessa Jackson each hit two RBIs against UAM. Valdosta State will look to continue the team's good performance against Ouachita Baptist and Southern Arkansas Saturday.

Gulf South Crossover Delayed Until Friday

2009-04-02

DECATUR, Ala. - The rain that has been sweeping the southeast took its toll on the Gulf South Conference's Crossover Softball Tournament planned for this weekend. Due to rain in the Decatur, Ala., area all day Thursday, the Crossover's start was pushed back to Friday. There were plans in place in case of weather so all games scheduled for Thursday have been rescheduled for the 9 and 11 a.m. on Monday. The games scheduled for Friday through Sunday will stay the same as of now. Instead of starting the weekend off at 4 p.m. today, the Lady Blazers will get started Friday at 2 p.m. against Delta State and follow that with a 4 p.m. start against Arkansas-Monticello. For continued updates, check here.

Valdosta State Marches Past Saints

2009-03-29

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State proved to be too much for the Saint of Flagler Sunday. With two strong performances VSU moved to 29-5 on the year. The Lady Blazers were dominant with a 9-0 win in the first game and a 9-5 victory in the second. Holly Satterfield earned the first win with a shutout to move to 9-2 on the year. She only allowed one hit in the five-inning game and notched three strikeouts. Andi Braswell, Melessa Jackson and Alyssa Shirey all went two for three and scored four runs between all of them. Shirey finished the first game with three RBIs, one of which came on a homer. Margaret Carter started the second game but Brianna Collis earned her seventh win of the year for an undefeated record. The two struck out a combined five hitters. Five of the top six hitters went two for four. Amber Shaw was the only one who did not. She was better. Shaw finished perfect on a four for four day with one run scored. All nine runs in the second game were scored by the top five hitters: Braswell (2), Jackson (2), Marti Littlefield (3), Shirey (1) and Shaw. After three scoreless innings in the first game, Shirey homered for the first run. Then with two outs left in the fifth inning, VSU went on a run to close out the game. Braswell started it off with a high pop fly that the Flagler infield could not find. Once Braswell reached base, the onslaught started. Jackson followed Braswell with a double. After Littlefield reached on a walk, Shirey singled. Flagler then committed two errors to put two VSU runners on base. April Hutchens finished the game with a walk-off three-run homer to put the Lady Blazers up 9-0 and force the run rule. In the second game, Valdosta State continued to stand strong at the plate. Braswell and Littlefield homered in the first inning to score three combined runs in the first inning. After that, the game continued scoreless until the fourth inning when Flagler scored two runs. In the fifth, however, VSU rattled off three more runs. The Saints were not finished though. Brittany Simmons hit a two-run shot to pull within two runs. The Lady Blazers answered with three more runs in the sixth inning. Braswell hit a double followed by a singles for both Jackson and Littlefield to make it 9-4 headed into the seventh inning. The Saints would score one run in the inning, but it would not be enough. Next up for VSU is the Gulf South Crossover tournament hosted by Alabama-Huntsville. The Lady Blazers will be there from Thursday through Sunday. Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

Flagler to Face Lady Blazers

2009-03-27

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State was set to travel to Dahlonega, Ga., to face a number of teams at the North Georgia Tournament. However, due to inclement weather for the weekend, the tournament was cancelled. In its place, the Lady Blazers will face the Flagler Saints at the VSU softball complex in a doubleheader to start at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Valdosta State Fifth in South Region

2009-03-25

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The first NCAA Division II softball regional rankings were released Wednesday, and Valdosta State currently holds the fifth spot in the south region. Along with the fifth regional spot, softball continues to stay near the top of the nation. Previously ranked as high as eighth this season, the latest National Fastpitch Coaches' Association's poll has Valdosta State listed at seventh. In the region, VSU is the third ranked Gulf South team with Alabama-Huntsville and West Florida in first and second respectively. Beneath West Florida are two Sunshine State schools. Florida Southern is listed third while Rollins is ranked fifth in the region. Behind the Lady Blazers are two more Gulf South teams. West Alabama is listed sixth while Arkansas-Monticello is ranked 10th. The Sunshine State Conference rounds out the group with Nova Southeastern, Tampa and Saint Leo in the seventh, eighth and ninth spots. Nationally, the Lady Blazers are the second highest ranked Gulf South Conference team with Alabama-Huntsville leading the pack at #2 with a 23-1 record. The Lady Blazers stand at 27-5 and 5-1 in the GSC. Closest to Valdosta State in the GSC is West Florida, listed 17th. No other GSC team made the top 25. The Lady Blazers will look to continue to earn high praise in the team's next outing at the North Georgia tournament this weekend. It will be an opportunity for Valdosta State because the team will play North Georgia twice. North Georgia swept the Lady Blazers in their last meeting and is currently ranked third nationally.

Lady Blazers Burn Wolves

2009-03-22

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State moved to 27-5 overall and 5-1 in the Gulf South with a sweep of the West Georgia Wolves at the softball complex Sunday afternoon. Holly Satterfield (8-2) notched the first win of the day, 6-2, with 6 strikeouts in seven innings pitched. Brianna Collis moved to 6-0 on the year with the 7-0 win in the second game. The top performers at the plate for the Lady Blazers in the first game were Andi Braswell, April Hutchens and Alyssa Shirey. Braswell was two of four while Hutchens was two of three. Shirey and Hutchens each scored two runs in the game. Stephanie Carlson blasted two homers in the second game on a two of three hitting afternoon. Hutchens was two of four while Marti Littlefield and Melessa Jackson were each one for three. Littlefield finished with two home runs on the day. In the first game Shirey, Amber Shaw and Clare Wamsley loaded the bases in the bottom of the second inning. Stephanie Owen hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Shirey, but the Lady Blazers would not score another run in the inning. In the top of the third, West Georgia put together a couple of doubles to score Kim Weaver and tie the game. But in the bottom of the inning, Shirey knocked her sixth home run of the year to bring in Jackson and gain a 3-1 advantage for the Lady Blazers. One inning later, Braswell hit a single to left field that brought in Hutchens for VSU's fourth run of the game. The Wolves countered with another run of their own. After being walked, Erica Colee made her way around the bases to close the gap to 4-2 in the top of the fifth. Refusing to let West Georgia get within striking distance, Littlefield belted her 11th homer of the season in the fifth inning. To follow that, Braswell doubled in the sixth to bring in Hutchens for her second run of the day. The Wolves could not rally and the Lady Blazers took the first game, 6-2. The first runs of the second game did not come until the bottom of the second inning. Carlson hit a two-run homer over the center field fence to claim an early 2-0 lead for the Lady Blazers. The game would go scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning when Littlefield hit her second homer of the day to clear the bases for a three more VSU runs. Carlson followed it up with her second long ball of the game for two more runs to make it 7-0 with one last chance for the Wolves. West Georgia would not be able to come back against the Valdosta State defense. The Lady Blazers' next action comes against West Florida in Pensacola, Fla. on Wednesday. Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

Lady Blazers Split with Tigers

2009-03-21

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State fought for a split against the team's second Gulf South opponent of the year, the West Alabama Tigers. West Alabama started off with a 4-2 victory, but the Lady Blazers bounced back with a 5-3 win in the second game. After Saturday, the Lady Blazers move to 25-5 overall and 3-1 in the Gulf South Conference. Margaret Carter gets the loss in the first game of the day. She notched three strikeouts, as did Holly Satterfield in relief. Satterfield picked up the win in the second game with three more strikeouts. Brianna Collis came in to close and earn her third save of the season. In the first game, Andi Braswell and Alyssa Shirey stood out with matching two for three showings at the plate. Melessa Jackson and Marti Littlefield each scored a run. In game two, Braswell and Jackson each were perfect on three at bats. Braswell scored two runs while Littlefield, Shirey and Amber Shaw each scored one. Valdosta State did not waste time getting on the board. Littlefield made her way around the bases. It looked like West Alabama would answer in the top of the second, but Braswell, Colette Rollins and Becca Aszman combined for a double play to hold the Tigers scoreless. In the third inning Jackson scored VSU's second run of the game. She singled to get on base and a series of singles from the Lady Blazers drove her around the bases to make it 2-0 headed to the fourth inning. In the fourth inning, UWA's Jessica Powell went around the bases after reaching on an error. Later, in the sixth inning, West Alabama posted three runs to earn a 4-2 lead entering the last inning. Powell hit a two-run homer for the Tigers and Kelli Hartley made her way around the bases after reaching on a VSU error. Valdosta State would not score again in the first game, and 4-2 would be the final score. The Lady Blazers started the second game much like the first: with runs in the first frame. This time VSU put up three runs in the opening inning, but West Alabama struck back with a home run in the second inning. In the fourth, Valdosta State loaded the bases, but were only able to score one run for the team's fourth of the game. West Alabama homered again in the sixth inning. Emily White belted a two-run shot to pull within one of the Lady Blazers, 4-3. Braswell went on to score another run for Valdosta State in the sixth to make it 5-3 with one last chance for the Tigers. Collis closed out the game strong, not allowing another run to West Alabama to complete the split for Valdosta State. Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

Lady Blazers Split with Augusta State

2009-03-18

AUGUSTA, Ga. - With a split against Augusta State Wednesday, Valdosta State moved to 24-4 on the season. Augusta State took the first game, 6-3, but the Lady Blazers bounced back in the second game to win 4-2 in an extra-inning game. Holly Satterfield took the loss in the first game. She gave up four runs, three earned, and five hits. Satterfield notched one strikeout before Margaret Carter entered the game. Carter gave up two earned runs. On the offensive side, Andi Braswell was two for three with a walk. She scored two runs and homered in the game. Becca Aszman scored the third and final run for the Lady Blazers on a one for three showing at the plate. The Jaguars faced Brianna Collis for eight innings in the second game. She put up two strikeouts and allowed two earned runs, but received help from the Lady Blazer offense. Alyssa Shirey was two of four at the plate for the best showing in the second game while Braswell went one for four. April Hutchens was one of three. Reigning Gulf South Player of the Week Marti Littlefield also only notched one hit, but it was an important one. Her two-run homer in the eighth gave Valdosta State the team's 24th win of the season. The Lady Blazers' next action comes at home this weekend. Valdosta State faces GSC opponents West Alabama and West Georgia on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Littlefield Honored as GSC Player of the Week

2009-03-17

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Marti Littlefield was honored by the Gulf South Conference and named GSC Player of the Week. She joins Andi Braswell and Alyssa Shirey for Valdosta State's third consecutive GSC Player of the Week. Littlefield's .600 batting average for the week helps place VSU atop the entire Gulf South in team batting average. She drove in 10 runs in two games against Thomas and two against conference opponent North Alabama. Three of her nine hits were for extra bases, including a three-run homer in a win over UNA. She scored four runs and led the Lady Blazers to a 4-0 week and a strong 2-0 start in the Gulf South. Littlefield terrorized the Lions with a four for five day at the plate and five RBIs in game one of the doubleheader. Littlefield, Braswell and Shirey will look to lead VSU past Augusta State Wednesday.

Lady Blazers Start Off 2-0 in GSC

2009-03-16

FLORENCE, Ala. - After the rain finally let up in the Florence, Ala., area Monday, Valdosta State went to work in the team's first Gulf South Conference games of the season. In a doubleheader against North Alabama, the Lady Blazers won 12-5 and 2-1 to move to 23-3 on the season and start 2-0 in GSC action. Margaret Carter earned the first win of the day with three strikeouts and eight hits allowed. The Lions jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third inning but the Lady Blazers bounced back in the top of the fifth with three runs of their own. Colette Rollins made it on base with a fielder's choice bunt, and then Melessa Jackson followed her lead with another bunt. With both on base Marti Littlefield jacked a home run over center field for VSU's first runs of the day. Littlefield was four for five in the game with five RBIs and two runs. Valdosta State opened up the game with seven runs in the sixth inning. Clare Wamsley started the onslaught with a single to the middle of the field. April Hutchens also singled in the sixth. She was two for three with two runs in the game. Andi Braswell singled followed by Jackson and Littlefield, who each singled. Braswell went three for five in the first game while Jackson was two of four. Kristie Cornell stepped up to clear the bases with a grand slam over left center. North Alabama would answer with two more runs in the bottom of the sixth, but Valdosta State put the game out of reach with two more runs in the final inning. Holly Satterfield earned the second win of the day with six strike outs in seven innings of play. She needed to be good because the offense only put up three hits and two runs in the second game. Braswell, Stephanie Carlson and Amber Shaw were the only Lady Blazers to notch hits in the game with Shaw and Braswell scoring. Braswell knocked in Shaw when she homered in the third inning. North Alabama answered in the bottom of the third with one run, but would not put up any more. The Lady Blazers travel to Augusta State for their next game Wednesday. Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

Lady Blazers Rained Out Again

2009-03-15

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Valdosta State was set to face Alabama-Huntsville Sunday after Saturday's game was postponed, but the weather still would not let up. The Lady Blazers' opportunity to play the Chargers was cancelled, but VSU is still on to play North Alabama in Florence, Ala., at noon Monday.

VSU Takes Thomas Twofer

2009-03-10

THOMASVILLE, Ga. - Valdosta State added two more wins to the team's 11-game winning streak against Thomas Tuesday. Margaret Carter pitched the team to a 16-1 win, and Holly Satterfield came into the second game with it tied 0-0. In five innings she rifled off nine strikeouts and allowed one unearned run in the 6-1 victory to push VSU's record to 21-3 for the season. As usual, the Lady Blazers were strong at the plate. Becca Aszman continues to hit well with a four for four day in the first game. She scored four runs and hit a homer. Andi Braswell, VSU's second consecutive Gulf South Conference Player of the Week, proved why she deserved the conference honor. She was six for nine at the plate with a home run and four runs scored. Kristie Cornell also homered in the first game and scored two runs. Freshman Clare Wamsley continued her hot streak with a three for five game in the first of the day with a homer and three runs scored. In the second game Marti Littlefield added to her two for three first game with a perfect three for three second game. She walked twice and scored two runs on the day. Brianna Collis, who started the second game on the mound for VSU, was two for three with a double and a home run. This weekend the Lady Blazers will look to keep the streak going against tough conference foe Alabama-Huntsville on Saturday and North Alabama Sunday.

VSU Takes Two More at Clark Atlanta

2009-03-07

ATLANTA, Ga. - Valdosta State, #12 in the nation, took down #2 Nova Southeastern, 8-2 Saturday. Afterward, the Lady Blazers continued their winning ways with a 9-1 win over Fort Valley State in just five innings. Against Nova, Holly Satterfield earned the win. She pitched four and a third innings and allowed one earned run. Brianna COllis came in to close and kept the Sharks at two runs. Marti Littlefield hit a grand slam while Andi Braswell was three of four with a run. Melessa Jackson also scored a run and went three for five. April Hutchens was one of two with a homer and three runs scored while Amber Shaw also scored and was one of two hitting. Against Fort Valley State, Stephanie Owen started. Julia Fink pitched the final three innings. Braswell had another strong game on three of four at the plate with four runs. Littlefield went two for three as did Joy Perry and Shaw. Shaw scored three runs on the day.

VSU Takes Down FIT, Paine

2009-03-06

ATLANTA, Ga. - After more than a week off, the #12 Valdosta State Lady Blazers got back to work Friday in Atlanta, Ga., with a 4-2 win over Florida Tech and a 22-0 win over Paine. Margaret Carter picked up the win against Florida Tech to move to 8-2 on the mound while Brianna Collis made her second save of the season. Carter gave up two runs in the game, but just one earned. She notched three strikeouts on the day. Becca Aszman was a perfect three for three at the plate with a triple in the game. She scored a run along with Andi Braswell and Melessa Jackson. Braswell was one for two at the plate and Jackson hit a triple on one for three hitting. Against Paine, Collis and Holly Satterfield combined for a no hitter. Collis earned the win with five strikeouts while Satterfield notched five in relief. The reigning Gulf South Conference Player of the Week, Alyssa Shirey, went four for five at the plate. Braswell, Marti Littlefield, Julia Fink and Stephanie Carlson all went three for five hitting. VSU will face #2 Nova Southeastern at 11 a.m. and Fort Valley State at 3 p.m. So far this season the Lady Blazers are 1-1 against NSU. They will be looking to break the tie.

Lady Blazers Move to 15-3

2009-02-26

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State moved to 15-3 on the season with two victories over Columbus State Thursday. Margaret Carter earned the first win over CSU, 7-2, and Brianna Collis earned the second win as the Lady Blazers rolled to an 8-3 victory. Carter moved to 7-2 on the season with the win. She notched seven strikeouts and walked one. Andi Braswell was two of four with a grand slam. She also scored a run. Alyssa Shirey was the other Lady Blazer to homer in the first game. Valdosta State had a chance to score in the first with two runners on, but the Columbus State defense pulled off a double play to get out of the inning. Then, in the top of the second, CSU used two hits and an error to send Sarah Moore around the bases for the first run of the game. The Lady Blazers answered in the bottom of the second. Brianna Collis hit a double to left center. Clare Wamsley followed it up with a single, and April Hutchens was walked. One of the team's best hitters, Braswell brought everyone home with a grand slam and her second homer of the season to make it 4-1 headed into the third. After two scoreless innings, Shirey put some more runs on the board with her fourth home run of the year. She brought in Marti Littlefield to make it 6-1 entering the sixth inning. In the sixth inning the Cougars used a sacrifice fly to score Cherae Gamble and make it 6-2. But in the bottom of the sixth inning Amber Shaw, pinch running for Carter, made her way around the bases to score the final run of the game and make it 7-2. In the second game Collis notched four strikeouts on the day and allowed five hits. The Cougars started the second game with a three-run shot from Ginny Walsh in the second. As usual for Valdosta State, the Lady Blazers answered. In the bottom of the second, Wamsley knocked her third home run of the year. Wamsley and Shirey made it 2-3, but Kristie Cornell belted her fifth homer of the year to tie the game. In the bottom of the third Shirey hit her second home run of the day and brought in Melessa Jackson to make it 5-3. Afterward, Collis doubled and Stephanie Carlson singled to bring in Collis. Valdosta State took the three-run lead into the fourth inning. Wamsley made a terrific play in the sixth inning to keep the lead. With a Cougar on first base, CSU's Christie Thompson hit a shot to left field. On the run, Wamsley caught the ball for the out and rifled the throw across the field to first base to complete the double play. Then, in the bottom of the sixth inning, Cornell hit her second home run of the day for two more Valdosta State runs. That is how the game would end, with Valdosta State ahead, 8-3. Valdosta State is next in action at the Clark Atlanta Tournament the weekend of March 6-7.

Lady Blazers Ram Albany State

2009-02-25

ALBANY, Ga. - Valdosta State continues to rack up the runs this season with 19 in a doubleheader against Albany State. Margaret Carter moved to 6-2 on the season with a 9-1 win over the Golden Rams while Holly Satterfield moved to 3-1 with a 10-2 victory in game two. Carter only allowed three hits, but she could have let more go with VSU's performance at the plate. Marti Littlefield belted two homers in the first game and one in the second. She finished five for seven on the day with three home runs. Alyssa Shirey was near unstoppable at the plate. In the first game she was two for three with a run and a double. She knocked two homeruns on two at bats in the second game and forced two walks from the ASU pitcher. Melessa Jackson finished five of eight. She went two for four in the first game with two runs. Brianna Collis continues to prove that pitchers can hit too. She was two for three in the first game with a triple. Freshman Amber Shaw also stepped up with a good day at the plate. In the second game, she was two for three. The Lady Blazers will look to continue their winning ways against Columbus State at the VSU Softball Complex at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Lady Blazers Win Tournament

2009-02-22

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Valdosta State dropped only one game in the weekend's Eckerd Tournament so it was no surprise the Lady Blazers won a single elimination tournament outright Sunday. In the first round, VSU put away Tampa, 10-5, then wreaked revenge on Nova Southeastern for VSU's lone loss of the weekend. After Nova won, 2-1, Saturday, Valdosta State beat the Sharks, 6-0, for the tournament championship to move to 11-3 on the year. Against Tampa, the Lady Blazers were down, 5-1, after four innings. Valdosta State busted out the big bats in the fifth inning to earn six runs and take the lead. April Hutchens was the second batter of the inning, but started everything off for VSU with a good eye to earn a walk. Becca Aszman hit a single to left field and Margaret Carter reached on a Tampa error. With bases loaded, Andi Braswell singled to bring in Hutchens. Melessa Jackson used a bunt to get on base and bring in Aszman. With Carter, Braswell and Jackson on the bases, Marti Littlefield hit a grand slam over the left field wall to make it 7-5 halfway through the fifth inning. Clare Wamsley scored VSU's eighth run In the sixth inning, and knocked in the ninth and 10th runs with a double to center field. Wamsley was three of four at the plate with three RBIs. Tampa would not answer. Wamsley kept it up in the second game with two more hits and two more runs. She also made two highlight reel catches in the outfield against Nova Southeastern. "Those were two Sportscenter type catches from Wamsley," said Head Coach Thomas Macera. "And, as a freshman, she came up with three hits in three clutch moments for us." Macera also liked what he saw from Brianna Collis against the Sharks. She only allowed three hits, and basically shut down Nova's offense, according to Macera. Aszman matched Nova's hits by herself. She went three for three at the plate with two RBIs. Littlefield was one for two with a run and Jackson went two for four with a run. Valdosta State will look to keep the momentum going against Albany State in Albany, Ga., Wednesday.

Lady Blazers Split at Tourney

2009-02-21

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Valdosta State split two games at the Eckerd Tournament Saturday. The Lady Blazers fell to Nova Southeastern, 2-1, but bounced back to take down Eckerd, 7-0. The first game for the Lady Blazers was a nail biter. Both Nova Southeastern runs were unearned due to three errors for Valdosta State on the day. Margaret Carter is charged with the loss for Valdosta State. She struck out two and walked one. Carter gave up six hits. In the fifth inning, Brianna Collis made the game interesting with a home run for VSU's only run of the game. Nova Southeastern's pitcher proved to be too much for the Lady Blazers. Valdosta State experienced its first game where the team had a hard time hitting. Holly Satterfield earned the victory at the mound against Eckerd. She struck out five and gave up four hits. She only walked one and did not allow a run. She received help from the Lady Blazer bats. Melessa Jackson was perfect on three at bats and scored a run. Andi Braswell went two for three and scored two runs while Stephanie Carlson also scored two runs. Valdosta State will end the Eckerd Tournament tomorrow with a one day single elimination tournament. The team will kick it off at 9 a.m. against Tampa.

Lady Blazers Take Two at Eckerd Tournament

2009-02-20

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Valdosta State started off the Eckerd Tournament 2-0 on Friday with a 4-1 win over Flagler and a 9-1 victory over Florida Tech to move to 8-2 overall. Pitchers Margaret Carter and Brianna Collis earned the wins. Carter notched seven strikeouts in the win over Flagler. In the second game, Collis allowed three hits to Florida Tech, but pitched a perfect game until the fifth inning. Marti Littlefield tripled against Flagler and scored a run while Alyssa Shirey went one of two at the plate, but doubled and scored two runs. In the second game of the day, Valdosta State ran away from Florida Tech with a 9-1 victory. The Lady Blazers didn't waste time as they put a run up in the first inning. Andi Braswell hit a single to get on base. After moving to second on a sacrifice from Melessa Jackson, Braswell made it home after a double from Littlefield. Then, in the third inning, VSU opened up the 1-0 game with six runs. With Braswell and Jackson on base, Littlefield made another big hit for a triple to score both the runners. Littlefield was thrown out trying to stretch for home. But after that Shirey singled, followed by a triple from Kristie Cornell to drive in Shirey. Shirey was three for three in the game. With Stephanie Carlson at the plate Florida Tech made a pitching change. It didn't work. After Carlson singled, Clare Wamsley homered for the fifth and sixth runs of the inning. Wamsley was two for three at the plate and scored three runs. Both teams traded runs in the fifth inning. Then, in the seventh inning, to add a little insurance, Wamsley made her way around the bases on a walk, a single from Julia Fink and a double from Colette Rollins. Saturday, VSU plays Nova Southeastern and Eckerd.

Saints Too Good for VSU

2009-02-17

VALDOSTA, Ga. - In Valdosta State's first home action since Feb. 1, #11 North Georgia proved to be too much for the Lady Blazers. VSU fell in two games by scores of 4-3 and 6-5. In the first inning of Tuesday's doubleheader, the North Georgia Saints rattled off two runs. North Georgia scored one run in the two innings to follow on home runs by Natasha Willemse and Courtney McGuire. The Lady Blazers scored one run in the first but went scoreless until the fourth inning when Kristie Cornell belted a homerun to bring in Clare Wamsley to make the score 4-3 in favor of the Saints. Valdosta State's strong defense held throughout the game, but so did North Georgia's. The game ended with the 4-3 score. Andi Braswell had a strong first game at the plate for VSU. She went three of four with a double and two singles. The second game of the doubleheader started with a North Georgia run just like the first, but the Lady Blazers answered with two of their own. In the bottom of the first Melessa Jackson hit a single to right field and Marti Littlefield reached first on a North Georgia error. Alyssa Shirey drove in both runners. After the Saints scored another run in the second, Julia Fink answered for the Lady Blazers with a homer in the bottom of the second. Both teams continued to put up runs. In the top of the third Pilar Harden homered to drive in two runs for the Saints to make it 4-3 again. After hitting a single, Hilary Cox made her way around the bases for North Georgia's fifth run and third of the inning. Again, the Lady Blazers answered with another homerun. Shirey belted one to get Valdosta State started in the inning. That was all VSU would score in the third to make it 5-4. In the fourth, both teams traded runs to make it 6-5, but VSU held the Saints to the first scoreless inning of the game in the top of the fifth. North Georgia's defense responded by holding the Lady Blazers scoreless. Brianna Collis gave North Georgia no chance to score in the sixth inning. She did not allow one Saint on base and pitched three strikeouts. Unfortunately, the rest of the game would go scoreless, and the Lady Blazers fell in their second game of the day, 6-5. Valdosta State will next be in action this weekend at the Eckerd Tournament. Game 1 Statistics Game 2 Statistics

VSU vs. Rollins Cancelled

2009-02-14

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State's doubleheader against Rollins was cancelled Saturday due to rain. The teams will face each other March 6 at the Clark Atlanta Tournament. The Lady Blazers next action comes Tuesday against North Georgia in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. in Valdosta.

Lady Blazers Stay Undefeated

2009-02-07

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - The second day of the Claflin Softball Tournament looked much like the first for Valdosta State. The Lady Blazers moved to 4-0 on the weekend and 6-0 on the season with a 13-0 win over West Virginia Tech and a 20-3 victory over Clark Atlanta. Margaret Carter moved to 3-0 on the season against West Virginia Tech. Marti Littlefield was strong at the plate with three hits on four at-bats. Melessa Jackson also did well going two for four at the plate and scoring two runs. Against Clark Atlanta, freshman Julia Fink earned her first win of her collegiate career. With the Lady Blazers' first errors of the season, Clark Atlanta scored three runs, but it wouldn't compare to the 20 Valdosta State racked up. Littlefield was perfect on three appearances at the plate, and also hit a home run. Stephanie Carlson and Brianna Collis both went two for four at the plate, each hitting a homer. Amy Brightwell also hit a home run. She was two for three at the plate. Valdosta State will look to stay perfect against Rollins next weekend.

Lady Blazers Take Two in First Day

2009-02-06

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - In softball's second weekend of action, the runs kept coming for the Lady Blazers. Valdosta State swept two games in the first day of the Claflin Tournament in Orangeburg, S.C. Margaret Carter earned her second win on the mound for VSU with a 22-1 victory over Claflin. Carter pitched a one-hitter that Claflin couldn't match. The Lady Blazers rung up 20 hits in the game. Clare Wamsley went three for three at the plate and scored three runs while Andi Braswell was three of four and scored four runs. Marti Littlefield hit her second homer of the season and was four of five at the plate against Claflin while Alyssa Shirey and Kristie Cornell each rung up three hits. Almost every Lady Blazer saw action against Claflin in Friday's opener. Against Benedict in the second game of the day, ever Lady Blazer played in the 20-0 thrashing. Stephanie Owen only allowed two hits in her first appearance on the mound for Valdosta State. Braswell had another strong game going two for three at the plate while Amber Shaw was a perfect three for three. April Hutchens hit a triple and went four of five. Tomorrow, Valdosta State will look to stay perfect against West Virginia Tech and Clark Atlanta.

Lady Blazers Fly by Night Hawks

2009-02-01

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Once Valdosta State president Dr. Patrick J. Schloss started the day off with the first pitch of the Lady Blazer season, it was up to the Valdosta State softball team to end the day on the right note. As they notched 25 hits on the day with eight home runs, the Lady Blazers made sure fans went home happy. Valdosta State finished off the Thomas Night Hawks 12-4 and 10-2 in Saturday's doubleheader. Both games ended early thanks to the big bats of the Lady Blazers, Kristie Cornell in particular. Cornell opened up the flood gates for VSU in the bottom of the fourth inning when she hit in Amber Shaw, running for Alyssa Shirey, on the first home run of the day. Cornell knocked two more out of the park in the second game. She wasn't the only Lady Blazer who came to hit. In the monster fourth inning Valdosta State had at the plate, Stephanie Carlson stepped up to hit a home run right after Cornell. April Hutchens used an error to go all the way to third base. As the Lady Blazers worked their way through the lineup in the fourth inning, Andi Braswell hit the third home run of the inning to make it 8-2. VSU scored two more unearned runs before the Night Hawks could finally get off the field. With VSU leading 10-2 in the top of the fifth, Thomas scored two unearned runs. The Lady Blazers had enough. After Braswell was walked, Marti Littlefield doubled to center to drive Braswell home. Shirey doubled the next at bat to knock Littlefield in and put VSU up 12-4. Up by eight runs after five innings, the run rule was put into effect, and the game was called. Thomas started the second game with great defensive plays in the field to limit the Lady Blazers to just three at-bats in the first inning. But in the second inning Cornell hit her second homer of the day. Hutchens knocked another one out of the field later in the inning. In the fourth inning, Shirey hit the Lady Blazers' fifth home run of the day, and Cornell followed it up with her third to take a four run lead into the fifth inning. After holding Thomas to just three at-bats in the fifth, the Lady Blazers put another run on the board. Cornell doubled to left to drive Braswell in. The day started to look up for Thomas in the sixth inning. Amanda Graham led off with the Night Hawks' only home run of the day. Brittany Decker made her way around the bases later in the inning. Just when Thomas was able to get something going, Valdosta State stepped in to slam the door shut. Valdosta State's Clare Wamsley doubled on a bunt to bring Huchens in and move Joy Perry, running for Amy Brightwell, to third. Melessa Jackson singled to load the bases. Braswell flied out to center, but Perry scored on the play. To finish the game, Littlefield hit a walk-off home run to push the tally to 10-2 and finish the game. The Lady Blazers' next action comes at the Claflin Tournament on February 6.

Dr. Schloss to Throw First Pitch

2009-01-30

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State's softball team dedicated its season to breast cancer awareness, and VSU President Dr. Patrick J. Schloss looks to start the season right. Schloss will throw the first pitch in Sunday's season opening doubleheader between the Lady Blazers and the Thomas Night Hawks. Valdosta State plans to have someone throw out the first pitch for every game this season in an effort to bring publicity and awareness to breast cancer in the Valdosta area culminating in the March 22 Sunday game against West Georgia. Schloss was so gracious to accept the Lady Blazers' invitation to start off the season, but he is no stranger to the effects of breast cancer. Sadly, Schloss lost his first wife to the aggressive disease. He hopes that by throwing out the first pitch of the VSU softball season he can show the Valdosta State student body that he is always there for the students, no matter how tough a situation may be. This season, Lady Blazer fans will cheer for more than just a national championship. Don't miss out. The doubleheader against Thomas starts at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Lady Blazers Tabbed Second

2009-01-29

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The annual Gulf South Conference preseason coaches' polls were released this week, and Valdosta State was well represented. Defending GSC champion Alabama-Huntsville took first in the poll, but the Lady Blazers were the only other team to be considered for the top spot. Valdosta State received two votes for first in the poll. With UAH being a school from the East Division, VSU was slotted at the second spot in the GSC East as well with 20 points to UAH's 25 earned in the poll. West Florida rounded out the top three with 16 points. In addition to team recognition, senior infielder Andi Braswell was also recognized. Braswell, an All-GSC and All-South Region selection in 2008, was selected for the All-Conference preseason team. The early recognition for the Lady Blazers comes as no surprise after the record breaking season the team had last season. Braswell, herself, broke the school at-bat record, and many others were shattered by Valdosta State amid the 48-19 season last year. Sunday, the 2009 version will take the field for the team%u2019s home opener, a doubleheader against Thomas University at 2 p.m. To start the game, Valdosta State President Dr. Patrick J. Schloss will throw the first pitch.

Softball to Hold Open Tryout

2008-08-04

The Valdosta State Softball program will hold an open tryout for all interested players on Thursday, August 28. For more information, please see below. Date: Thursday, August 28 Time: 3:00 p.m. Location: VSU Softball Field IMPORTANT: Players must bring written documentation of a physical they have taken in the last six months and must be enrolled at Valdosta State to be allowed to participate. Any player wishing to transfer from a four-year institution must bring a copy of their release from their respective school. All players will be required to sign a release prior to the workout. Any student-athlete who has not turned 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the release.

Acosta, Williams, Ely Earn All-America Honor

2008-05-19

VALDOSTA, Ga- With the 2008 Valdosta State softball season coming to a close, three Lady Blazers, Alex Acosta, Robin Williams and Kristina Ely, earned the league's highest honor, All-America recognition. In her second season with VSU, Acosta has earned Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-America Third Team for the second straight year. The Hialeah, Fla. native led VSU in batting average for most of the season and ended her senior year with a .376 average, 80 hits, 14 doubles, 13 homeruns and broke the most RBI's in a season record with 64. Acosta was also named to the 2008 Daktronics All-America Second Team, which consisted of nine other Gulf South Conference players. Williams, who has been at Valdosta State for four years, also earned Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-America Third Team honors. The Valdosta, Ga. native ended the season second on the team in batting average with .355 and had 66 hits, nine doubles, 13 homeruns, 56 RBI and 45 walks. Williams broke several school records including homeruns in a career (42), walks in a career (103), RBI's in a career (170) and walks in a season (45). Williams was also named to the 2008 Daktronics All-America Second Team as a first baseman. In her second year at VSU, Ely was named to the 2008 Daktronics All-America Second Team as a second baseman. The Sarasota, Fla. native ended the year with a .322 batting average, 67 hits, 12 doubles, 52 RBI and broke the school record for most homeruns in a season with 19. Two other Lady Blazers broke school records including Kristen Lindsey, who broke the record for most strikeouts in a career with 473, which was set in 1999. Lindsey ended the season with a 21-10 overall record and a 2.30 ERA. The Valdosta, Ga. native pitched 191.1 innings and held teams to a .239 batting average. In her first year on the VSU squad, Andi Braswell broke the at-bats in a season record with 225. Playing and starting in every game this year, Braswell ended the season with a .329 batting average while accumulating 74 hits, 61 runs, 14 doubles, 10 homeruns, 43 RBI and second on the team in walks with 27. Overall, VSU had a 48-19 overall record, just one short of tying the school record for most wins in a season. As a team, they batted .314 and broke six school records as a team including runs (392), hits (566), (357), doubles (87), homeruns (82) and walks (174). On the mound, VSU was so close to breaking the highest opponent ERA record which was set at 5.07 last year and VSU ended the 2008 season with a 5.06. As a team, VSU had a 2.60 ERA, 32 complete games, 11 shutouts, 438.2 innings pitched and gave up 163 earned runs.

Softball Names Five Seniors To All-South Region Team

2008-05-12

VALDOSTA, Ga.- Five seniors on the Valdosta State softball team received All-South Region recognition while two were named to the ESPN The Magazine All-America Team. Alex Acosta and Robin Williams were named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-South Region First Team while Kristina Ely, Andi Braswell and Shannon Cleland were named to the Second Team. Williams, Ely and Acosta also made the 2008 Daktronics All-South Region Second Team. Acosta, who was the 2007 and 2007 Gulf South Conference Player-of-the-Year, ended the season with a .376 batting average that included a team high 80 hits, 14 doubles, 13 homeruns and a record breaking 64 RBI. Williams started and played in every game this year had a .355 average with 66 hits, 9 doubles, 13 homeruns 56 RBI and a .985 fielding percentage. The senior was named to the All-GSC First Team. Ely, who broke the school record for homeruns in a season with 19, ended her senior year with a .322 batting average and accumulated 67 hits, 12 doubles and 51 RBI. The Sarasota, Fla. native was also named to the All-GSC First Team. This season was Braswell's first year as a Lady Blazer and she started and played in every game, racking up a .329 average, 74 hits, 14 doubles, 10 homeruns and 43 RBI. Braswell was named to the All-GSC Second Team. Cleland, who has been named the GSC Player-of-the-Week, batted .286 on the year and had 58 hits, seven doubles, 14 homeruns and 45 RBI with a .962 fielding percentage. All five seniors will be eligible for All-America status, which will be released at a later date. ESPN The Magazine has named Acosta to the Academic Al-America First Team while Williams made Second Team. Acosta, a criminal justice major, has a 3.65 GPA while Williams maintains a 3.37 in her first year as a graduate student.

Softball Ends Season With 3-0 Loss To Alabama-Huntsville

2008-05-08

MIAMI SHORES, Fla.- After splitting with Alabama-Huntsville during the regular season and falling in the Gulf South Conference Tournament, the Valdosta State softball team ended their season with a 3-0 loss to UAH at the South Regional Tournament on Thursday afternoon at Buccaneer Field. After a controversial call in the first inning, the Lady Chargers (51-8) put a run on the board to take a 1-0 lead. VSU (48-19) was unable to respond in the top of the second inning, but UAH continued their offensive dominance with two more runs off an Amy Harris shot to left field. UAH's Caitlin Lee retired 11 straight batters after an Andi Braswell single in the third inning. VSU held UAH to four hits through five innings before Lee hit a blooper to short center field in teh bottom of the sixth inning. No damage was done as VSU got out of the inning unharmed. Both teams remained scoreless through the next four innings heading into the seventh with Kristen Lindsey only giving up two hits. With three outs left, the Lady Blazers had only one chance to keep their season alive. Leading off, Alex Acosta popped up to the third baseman and wtih one out, Robin Williams doubled to left field. Kelsey Case came in to run for the senior catcher, bring Kristina Ely up to the plate. Ely advanced Case with a grounder to the shortstop. With two outs, Shannon Cleland, who had one of VSU's three hits in the game, lined out to the second baseman, ending the game. Lindsey gave up only five hits and had three strikeouts in six innings while Braswell, Williams and Cleland each had one hit. Alabama-Huntsville had five hits while their pitcher, Lee, struck out three batters in 7.0 innings.

Lady Blazers Fall To Saint Leo 3-2 In 8 Innings

2008-05-07

MIAMI SHORES, Fla.- In eight innings, the Valdosta State softball team dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 decision to Saint Leo on Wednesday afternoon in the first round of the South Region Tournament, hosted by Barry University. VSU (48-18) was first to score, putting a run on the board in the first inning when Andi Braswell led off with a walk and advanced to second on a passed ball. Audrey Massingill advanced Braswell to third with a sac bunt, who scored when the SLU (36-13) third baseman made a throwing error. The Lions did not let the Lady Blazers keep the lead for long, when they scored two runs in the same inning off of four hits. Kristen Lindsey and the VSU defense held Saint Leo scoreless for the next seven innings with Lindsey retiring 15 straight batters, until SLU picked up one hit in the seventh inning. VSU tied the game up in the third inning when Braswell singled down the left field line and ended up at second on a passed ball. Again, Massingill advanced her over to third and Braswell scored when Acosta grounded out to the shortstop. In the eight inning, VSU had a chance to take the lead with Kristie Cornell reaching first on a walk and pinch runner Kelsey Case advanced to second on a sac bunt from Kylie Zweifel. With two outs, Massingill was hit by a pitch, but VSU could not score a run as they ended the inning with a fly out. Saint Leo's offense came alive in the bottom of the inning, leading off with two singles. With one out and two on, Ashley Hill came in to pitch and forced a blooper to short center field where Massingill made a great catch. SLU's runner on third was too fast as she beat the throw home, winning the ball game 3-2. Kristen Lindsey pitched a great game, striking out eight batters and giving up seven hits and no walks. As a team, VSU had only one hit the entire game in 24 at bats. Saint Leo had seven hits while their pitcher, Ashley Urbanik, struck out eight batters and walked two in 8.0 innings. The Lady Blazers play at 11:00 am on Thursday, where they will take on the Alabama-Huntsville, who fell to West Florida on Wednesday. You can watch all of the Tournament games on live stats at Barry's athletic page www.gobarrybucs.com. If the Lady Blazer lose on Thursday, their season is over. If they win, they play again on Friday.

Softball South Region Tournament Game Notes

2008-05-05

The Valdosta State softball team heads to Miami Shores, Fla. where they will take on Saint Leo at 11 am on Wednesday morning. Barry University, the #1 seed, is the host school while VSU is #6 going on. Below is the final region ranking: 1. Barry 2. Alabama-Huntsville 3. Saint Leo 4. Tampa 5. Rollins 6. Valdosta State 7. West Florida 8. Albany State TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE: Wednesday: Game 1 11:00 am: #3 Saint Leo vs. #6 Valdosta State Game 2 1:30 pm: #2 Alabama-Huntsville vs. #7 West Florida Game 3 4:00 pm: #4 Tampa vs. #5 Rollins Game 4 6:30 pm: #1 Barry vs. #8 Albany State Thursday: Game 5 11:00 am: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 Game 6 1:30 pm: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 Game 7 4:00 pm: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 Game 8 6:30 pm: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 Friday: Game 9 11:00 am: Loser Game 7 vs. Winner Game 6 Game 10 1:30 pm: Loser Game 8 vs. Winner Game 5 Game 11 4:00 pm: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8 Game 12 6:30 pm: Winner Game 10 vs. Winner Game 9 Saturday: Game 13 1:00 pm: Winner Game 12 vs. Loser Game 11 Game 14 4:00 pm: Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 11 Sunday: 1:00 pm: Necessary only if Winner Gmae 13 defeats Winner Game 11 TICKETS: Adults: $8; Students/Senior Citizens: $5; Children under 12: $3; Tournament Pass $25/$15/$9 DID YOU KNOW: This is Macera's third time in three years that he has made it to the South Region Tournament. In 2006 he made it to the Semifinals where VSU fell to Alabama-Huntsville 6-4. Last year VSu defeated Albany State in the first round then lost to Florida Southern and Florida Gulf Coast. LIVE STATS: Barry will have livestats available for anyone to watch. Just go to the Barry athletic page, GoBarryBucs.com Click here for complete game notes

Alabama-Huntsville Blows By Lady Blazers 9-3

2008-05-04

SOUTHAVEN, Miss.- After allowing Alabama-Huntsville to score seven runs in the third inning, the Valdosta State softball fell in the semifinals of the Gulf South Conference Tournament after losing 9-3 to UAH on Sunday morning. Valdosta State (48-17) was first to score with Andi Braswell leading off the first inning with a single to left field and advanced on a sac bunt from Audrey Massingill. Alex Acosta reached on an error by the shortstop, driving in Braswell. Huntsville answered right back scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, the Chargers used a single, passed ball, walk, hit by pitch and another single to go up 2-1. The Chargers had a monstrous third inning that started with Amy Harris singling followed by another single and sac bunt. Ashley Hill came in to pitch and gave up a single from Prater. UAH smacked another single through the left side, scoring another run. With the bases loaded, Hill walked the next three batters, giving Huntsville a 7-1 lead. Kristen Lindsey came in to pitch with two outs and gave up a single to Beth Lawson which drove in the final two runs of the inning. With the threat of elimination after five innings on their mind, the Lady Blazers scored two runs in the fifth inning to keep their hopes alive. Kristi Cornell pinch-hit and singled to left field. Kelsey Case came in to pinch run and advanced on a single from Kylie Zweifel. Andi Braswell used a sac bunt to advance the runners and Alex Acosta singled up the middle, driving in two runs and putting VSU down 9-3. The Alabama-Huntsville pitching held VSU for the next two innings, winning 9-3. UAH gave up only seven hits, no walks and had four strikeouts. VSU had seven walks, 12 hits and only one strikeout in the game. Zweifel and Acosta each had two hits on the game. A South Region call is yet to be determined as to whether the Lady Blazers will make the trip to Miami Shores for the Region Tournament. A decision will be made on Sunday night.

Softball Advances To Third Day of GSC Tournament

2008-05-03

SOUTHAVEN, Miss.- The Valdosta State softball team defeated Arkansas-Monticello 3-0 on Saturday night to secure a spot in the third day of the Gulf South Conference Championship on Sunday morning. Kristen Lindsey started the game for VSU and held the Cotton Blossoms to only three hits in five innings while striking out three and picked up her 21st win of the year. Both teams were scoreless through three innings until Valdosta State scored three runs in the fourth inning that started with a walk from Robin Williams. Kelsey Case pinch ran for the catcher and advanced to second base when UAM's catcher tried to pick off case and made a throwing error down to first base. Kristina Ely picked up an RBI when she singled up the middle, driving in Case. Shannon Cleland made it to second base when she also singled up the middle and advanced on the throw. Amy Brightwell picked up her first hit of the day when she doubled to left field, scoring two runs. Brianna Collis came in to pitch the final two innings of the game, allowing only one hit and striking out three batters. The VSU defense held AUM to only four hits and struck out six while the Lady Blazers had six hits and three walks. The Lady Blazers (48-16) are now 2-1 after two days in the tournament, defeating Delta State 7-6 on Friday but falling to Arkansas Tech 6-1 on Saturday afternoon. VSU will take on the #1 seed in the East, Alabama-Huntsville at 10:30 am on Sunday. If they lose, they are out of the tournament, but if they win, they will play again at 1 pm. The rest of VSU's games will be on the GSC broadband.

Softball Falls 6-1 Against Arkansas Tech

2008-05-03

SOUTHAVEN, Miss.- After taking a 1-0 lead off of a Kristina Ely homerun in the second inning, the Valdosta State softball team let Arkansas Tech come from behind and win 6-1, on Saturday afternoon at the Gulf South Conference Tournament. Both teams were held scoreless in the first inning and with one out in the second, Ely stepped up to the plate and hammered her 19th homerun of the season over the left field fence, giving VSU (47-16) a 1-0 lead. Arkansas Tech (40-15) who finished first in the GSC East, used a three-run homerun in the fourth inning to take the lead. Tech scored again the sixth inning off of two hits and one VSU error. The Lady Blazers did not have an answer to ATU's pitcher, Dana Aldrich, who was the Pitcher-of-the-Year in the West Division, striking out 11 VSU batters in the game. The Golden Suns scored another two runs in the top of the seventh inning with two singles followed by a double from Tiphani Moon, scoring two runs. Valdosta State gave ATU a score in the bottom of the inning as Alex Acosta singled through the left side to lead off. But Aldrich was too much as she forced two pop-ups and one strike out to give VSU their first defeat in the Tournament. Ashley Hill pitched all seven innings for VSU, giving up 10 hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Acosta and Ely were the only two players to pick up a hit in 22 at bats. VSU moves to the loser's bracket, taking on Arkansas-Monticello at 6:30 pm. This game will not be on the GSC broadband.

Softball Comes From Behind To Defeat Delta State 7-6

2008-05-02

SOUTHAVEN, Miss.- Down 4-0 after the second inning, the Valdosta State softball team came from behind to defeat Delta State, 7-6, in the first game of the Gulf South Conference Tournament on Friday morning. With heavy winds blowing and rain on the way, the Lady Blazers (47-15) struggled through the second inning, allowing Delta State (33-25) to score four runs off of three hits and two errors. Down 4-0, VSU cut their deficit in half with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Kristina Ely led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on two illegal pitches by the Lady Statesman pitcher. Shannon Cleland also walked and stole second base. Freshman Stephanie Owen drove in a run with a sac fly and Kylie Zweifel singled up the middle, driving in the second and final run of the inning. Alex Acosta walked in the third inning and Robin Williams was hit in the head by a wild pitch. Kelsey Case came into run for the senior catcher and both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Ely and Cleland both grounded out but each picked up an RBI on the plays, tying the game at four. The Lady Statesmen quickly regained the lead when they scored two runs in the fourth inning off a two-run homerun to left field. Holding DSU scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings, the Lady Blazers led off the bottom of the sixth with a single through the left side from Lindsey Lloyd. Amy Brightwell entered the game as a pinch-runner and advanced on a grounder from Owen. Zweifel picked up her second hit of the morning with a single to the shortstop. Braswell walked, loading the bases for Acosta, who also walked, putting VSU down 6-5. With bases still loaded, Williams, who hurt her hand earlier in the game, singled up the middle, scoring two runs and giving VSU their first lead of the game. Ashley Hill and the Valdosta State defense held DSU scorless in the seventh, forcing a groundout and two pop-ups to end the game. Hill picked up her 15th win of the season, pitching 3.2 innings and striking out two batters. Kristen Lindsey started the game and gave up six hits and struck out one batters in 3.1 innings. Braswell was a perfect two-for-two with two walks while Zweifel was two-for-three with a run scored and one RBI. As a team, VSU had six hits while Delta State had nine. The Lady Blazers advance to the winner's bracket and play again tomorrow, Saturday, March 3, at 4 pm against Arkansas Tech.

Six Lady Blazers Named All-GSC

2008-04-30

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Six Valdosta State softball players have been named to the All-Gulf South Conference East Division team in a vote by the league coaches according to an announcement made by the conference office Wednesday . Alex Acosta led the group as she was named the GSC's East Division Player-of-the-Year for the second straight year. The senior shortstop hit .393 on the season and led the league in hits, with 77, and runs batted in, with 61. Acosta, who became the first Lady Blazer to ever win back-to-back Player-of-the-Year honors, was also top five in the conference in runs scored (51), slugging percentage (.673) and home runs (13). Acosta was joined on the first-team All-GSC squad by first baseman Robin Williams and second baseman Kristina Ely. Williams batted .368 during the regular season and hit 13 home runs while driving in 54 runs. Ely set the Valdosta State single season home run record with 18 roundtrippers on the season. The senior batted .340 while driving in 48 runs and scoring 53. Three Lady Blazers also earned second-team East Division honors, led by pitcher Kristen Lindsey. Lindsey tallied a 20-8 record on the year and had a 2.27 earned run average. Joining her on the All-GSC East second team were third baseman Andi Braswell, who batted .333 while hitting 10 home runs and scoring 57 runs, and outfielder Audrey Massingill. Massingill hit .345 during the regular season and scored 46 runs for VSU. Valdosta State, the No. 2 seed out of the East Division, begins play in the GSC Tournament Friday, May 2 at 10:30 p.m. when they play West Division No. 3 Delta State in Southaven, Miss.

Softball Conference Tournament Game Notes

2008-04-30

The Valdosta State softball team travels to Southaven, Miss. to compete in the 2008 Gulf South Conference Softball Tournament. The Lady Blazers enter the tournament ranked 2nd in the GSC East Division with a 46-15 overall mark and a 17-6 conference record. SCHEDULE: Games are to be played Friday through Sunday, with the championship game on Sunday. First, VSU takes on Delta State, the third seed in the West Division, at 10:30 am on Friday. If they win, they play again at 6 pm on Friday, but if they lose they play at at 10:30 am on Saturday. The tournament is double elimination. Day One: Friday, May 2, 2008 10:30 am GAME "A" Field #6: (4E)North Alabama vs. (1W)Arkansas Tech 10:30 am GAME "B" Field #5: (3W)Delta State vs. (E2)Valdosta State 1:00 pm GAME "C" Field #6: (4W)Arkansas-Monticello vs. (E1)Alabama-Huntsville 3:30 pm GAME "D" Field #6: (3E)West Florida vs. (W2)Henderson State 6:00 pm GAME "G" Field #6: Winner of "A" vs. Winner of "B" 8:30 pm GAME "H" Field #6: Winner of "C" vs. Winner of "D" Day Two: Saturday, May 3, 2008 10:30 am GAME "E" Field #6: Loser of "A" vs. Loser of "B" 10:30 am GAME "F" Field #5: Loser of "C" vs. Loser of "D" 1:00 pm GAME "K" Field #6 Winner of "G" vs. Winner of "H" 3:30 pm GAME "I" Field #6 Loser of "H" vs. Winner of "E" 3:30 pm GAME "J" Field #5 Winner of "F" vs. Loser of "G" At this point, the pairings for the next games are decided as follows, in the following order: 1) The remaining four teams are matched so that the undefeated team plays a team it has not yet played in the tourney; if there are two such teams, it is matched so that all four remaining teams have not played each other 2P If the undefeated team has played all of the remaining teams, but two of those teams have not played each other, then the two that have not played are matched together and the undefeated team plays the "other" team 3) If all four teams have previously played each other, then the undefeated team is matched with the remaining team that it played earliest in the Tournament. 6:00 pm GAME "M" Field #6: Winner "K" vs. Winner of "J" or "I" 8:30 pm GAME "L" Field #6: Loser of "K" vs. Winner of "J" or "I" Day Three: Sunday, May 4, 2008 Championship day BROADBAND: All games that are played in Field #6 will be broadband. This means that VSU's first game against Delta State will not be broadband, but will be available via Live Stats. To access the broadband, please go to the Gulf South Conference website at www.gulfsouthconference.org TOURNAMENT NOTES: Please click HERE to access the complete game notes for the GSC Tournament.

Softball Splits with Florida Southern

2008-04-26

LAKELAND, Fla.- After letting Florida Southern come from behind to win 8-3 in the first game of a non-conference double header on Saturday afternoon, the Valdosta State softball team scored four runs in the seventh inning to win the second game 5-4. In game one, the Lady Blazers scored the first run of the game off a single from Robin Williams that scored Audrey Massingill, who had reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning. Scoring two runs in the fourth, Alex Acosta led off the inning with a single up the middle, followed by a sac from Williams. Kristina Ely reached on an error by FSC's pitcher, scoring Acosta. Kristie Cornell walked and Stephanie Owen singled to right field, scoring the second run of the inning. Heading into the bottom of the fifth up 3-0, VSU was on cruise control, until the Lady Moccassin's used an eight-run inning to take the lead. VSU had two errors in the inning. Florida Southern held VSU scoreless in the top of the seventh, winning the game 8-3. Ashley Hill received the loss for the Lady Blazers, giving up only three earned runs and two strikeouts in six innings. Massingill and Acosta were both one-for-four with one run while Williams was one-for-two with an RBI and Owen was one-for-three with an RBI. The Lady Blazers drought continued in the second game, as they were held scoreless for five innings. Florida Southern scored two runs in the first inning off of two hits and scored another two in the fifth off of three hits and a VSU error. In the sixth innings, the Lady Blazer offense finally came alive, as they scored one run off a homerun from Williams. Down 4-1, Cornell led off the seventh inning with a walk. With one out, Braswell singled to left field and Massingill walked. Acosta drove in one run on a fielder's choice and Williams singled up the middle, putting VSU within one. Tying the game, Ely singled to right field and Shannon Cleland put the Lady Blazers ahead with a single to left field. Up 5-4, Kristen Lindsey and the VSU defense held FSC to three ground balls in the bottom of the seventh, winning the game. Lindsey gave up six hits and struck out four in a full seven innings of play while Braswell, Acosta and Ely each had one hit. Williams was two-for-three with two runs and two RBI and Cleland was three-for-four. VSU ends the regular season with a 46-15 overall record and are second in the Gulf South Conference East Division with a 17-6 record. The Lady Blazers play in the GSC Tournament this weekend. The schedule along with dates and times will be posted this week.

Softball Blazes By Albany State 4-3, 9-0

2008-04-23

VALDOSTA, Ga.- After honoring eight Lady Blazers on Senior Night at the Softball Complex, the Valdosta State softball team swept Albany State 4-3 and 9-0 in their final home game of the year. Eight Lady Blazers received senior recognition and all reached base during the night, including Alex Acosta, Kelsey Case, Kristen Lindsey, Kristina Ely, Shannon Cleland, Robin Williams, Lindsey Lloyd and Kylie Zweifel. After the festivities, VSU (45-14) started slow in game one, with both teams not scoring until the fourth inning when Albany State (30-22) put three runs on the board off a three-run homerun from Bynum. The Lady Blazer offense woke up and scored one run in the same inning that started with a single from Ely who advanced to second on an ASU error. Case advanced the runner with a sac bunt and Stephanie Owen drove in the run on a groundball. VSU headed into the sixth inning down by two. Williams led off the inning and reached on another ASU error. Cleland stepped up to the plate and hit her 13th homerun of the year, tying the game at three. Valdosta State held the Lady Rams scoreless in the seventh and put pressure on themselves to score a run to win the game. Zweifel led off with a single to third base and then stole second. She advanced to third on an illegal pitch by Albany State and scored on a wild pitch, winning the game 4-3. VSU only had five hits in the game, Zweifel picking up two of them. Lindsey started the game and struck out seven batters in 4.2 innings. Brianna Collis received the win, giving up no hits and striking out two in 2.1 innings. The Lady Blazer offense came alive in the second game, winning 9-0 in only five innings. VSU scored one run in the first inning off a homerun to center field from Acosta, her 13th of the season. Cleland led off the second inning with her second homerun of the night and her 14th overall, putting VSU up 2-0. Leslie VanKirk followed with a walk and Lloyd advanced the runner with a sac bunt. Zweifel added another hit to her stats and drove in one run. Andi Braswell doubled to left center, driving in another run. Audrey Massingill singled, driving in the fourth run of the inning. Up 5-0, Albany State held VSU scoreless for two innings, until the fifth inning when Cleland tripled down the left field line and Case bunt-singled, driving in one run. Lloyd doubled to left field and with two runners on base, Braswell homered to left field, ending the game on a "mercy-rule". The Lady Blazer offense only allowed one ASU hit, and Ashley Hill picked up her 14th win of the season, striking out three in five innings. The VSU offense had ten hits as a team and five walks. Braswell was two-for-four with four RBI while Massingill was two-for-three. Cleland had two hits while Acosta, Case, Lloyd and Zweifel each had one hit. Softball returns to action this Saturday when they travel to Florida Southern for a non-conference double header beginning at 2 pm. Game 1 Stats Game 2 Stats

Softball Sweeps West Georgia 9-1, 2-1

2008-04-20

VALDOSTA, Ga.- The Valdosta State softball team swept West Georgia 9-1 and 2-1 in Gulf South Conference action on Sunday afternoon at the Softball Complex. Kristina Ely broke the school record for homeruns in a season, smashing her 18th homerun of the season in the first game. After letting West Georgia (24-28, 5-16) score a run in the first inning off a solo homerun from Kara Pollock, the Lady Blazers shelled out six runs in the bottom of the inning. Andi Braswell and Audrey Massingill led of the inning with singles. Braswell scored on a throwing error by the catcher as Braswell stole third base. Alex Acosta walked and stole second base as Massingill scored on a fielding error by the shortstop. Robin Williams got on with a walk and Amy Brightwell entered the game for her as a pinch-runner. Acosta scored on a passed ball. With no outs, Ely stepped up the plate and belted a two-run homerun to straight center field, and securing her spot in the Valdosta State record books as the single season homerun leader (18). The Lady Blazer offense was not done as Leslie VanKirk and Steph Owen walked followed by a single from Kylie Zweifel. With bases loaded Braswell had a sac fly to center field, scoring the sixth and final run of the inning. VSU (43-14, 17-6) kept the scoring going in the third inning as Braswell reached first on a fielder's choice and stole second, her 12th steal of the year. Massingill stepped up the plate and smashed her sixth homerun of the year over the center field fence, scoring two runs. The next batter, Acosta, hit another homerun over the center field fence, her 12th of the year. The Lady Blazers held the Wolves scoreless in the top of the fifth, securing a 9-1 win. Ashley Hill picked up the win for VSU, giving up four hits and striking out four. Braswell ended the game going two-for-three with two runs and Massingill was a perfect three-for-three with two RBI. Kylie Zweifel had two hits while Acosta, Ely and Shannon Cleland each had one hit. The Valdosta State offense slowed down in the second game. Like the first game, West Georgia was first to put a run on the board, scoring a solo run in the second inning off a homerun by Tia Williams. Both teams remained scoreless until the fifth inning when VSU tied the game at one. Massingill stole second base after reaching on a walk. Williams also walked. With two outs, Cleland drove a shot up the middle, scoring the tying run. VSU took advantage of West Georgia's scoreless sixth inning as Braswell doubled to left center. With two outs, Acosta reached on a fielding error by the left fielder and drove in the winning run. Kristen Lindsey and the Lady Blazers held UWG scoreless in the top of the seventh as they took home a 2-1 victory. Brianna Collis started the game for VSU, pitching four quality innings and only giving up three hits and one earned run. Lindsey finished the game and received the win, her 19th of the year. Braswell, Ely, Cleland, Amy Brightwell and Zweifel all had one hit a piece for the Lady Blazers. VSU takes on Albany State on Wednesday, April 23rd, beginning at 5 pm. This is the final home game of the year and the eight seniors on the team will be honored. Game 1 Stats Game 2 Stats

Softball Splits With West Alabama

2008-04-19

VALDOSTA, Ga.- The Valdosta State Lady Blazers split with Gulf South Conference opponent West Alabama, winning the first game 11-2 and falling the second 9-0. In the first game, West Alabama (27-25, 5-14) scored their only runs in the first inning off of two hits and two VSU errors. The Lady Blazers (41-15, 15-6) answered right back with two runs of their own, with Andi Braswell leading off with a walk, followed by a bunt single from Audrey Massingill. Braswell scored on a wild pitch and Massingill scored on a ground ball from Alex Acosta. VSU had a monster second inning, scoring eight runs off of six hits. Becca Aszman led off with a single down the left field line while Kylie Zweifel singled to the pitcher. Acosta loaded the bases with a single and with two outs, Kristina Ely belted a grand slam homerun to left center field. This homerun marked Ely's 17th homerun of the year, tying the single season homerun record. Offensively, VSU was not done. Shannon Cleland reached on an error by the first baseman and Leslie VanKirk doubled to left center. After a Lady Tiger pitching change, Aszman batted for the second time in teh inning, driving a double down the left field line and scoring two more runs. Zweifel reached base on another UWA error, scoring the final run of the inning. Holding West Alabama scoreless for three more innings, VSU put one more run on the board in the fourth with a solo shot to center field by Cleland, her 12th of the year. Ashley Hill pitched 5.0 solid innings for VSU, giving up only four hits and striking out three. Aszman was a perfect three-for-three with two RBI and Zweifel added two hits of her own. VSU was 10-for-25 as a team, a .400 average. Things made a complete turn-around in game two. Both teams refused to score in the first inning, but West Alabama's offense came alive in the third inning. With two outs and Stephanie Owen on the mound, UWA's Courtney Gordon homered to left center field, scoring two runs. With one out, Emily White sent another shot over the center field fence, putting the Lady Tigers up 3-0. In the third inning and with two outs, Owen allowed a walk. Brianna Collis came into pitch for VSU and hit the first batter she faced. With two on, Gordon reached base on a fielding error by Ely. The ball dribbled to the outfield and rolled past center fielder Massingill. Two runs scored and as the third runner looked to score, she took catcher Aszman out, and forced her to leave the game. Down 6-0, the UWA damage would only get worse as they scored another run in the fourth inning off another solo shot from White. In the fifth inning, UWA scored two runs off of two hits and held VSU scoreless. The Lady Blazers only had five hits in the game and tallied two errors. Owen received the loss, giving up two hits and striking out one. Collis gave up three hits and struck out three. The Lady Blazers continue GSC play on Sunday, April 20th as they take on West Georgia beginning at 2 pm at the Softball Complex. Game 1 Stats Game 2 Stats

Alex Acosta Named GSC Player-of-the-Week

2008-04-16

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- For the third time in her career at Valdosta State, Alex Acosta has been named the Gulf South Conference Player-of-the-Week, according to a release made by the GSC on Tuesday. The Lady Blazers went 5-0 at the GSC Crossover, with Acosta getting at least one hit in four of the five games. Against Arkansas Tech, the 5-5 shortstop had two RBI and against Henderson State she was three-for-four with a double. Against Ouachita Baptist she went a perfect four-for-four and had three runs and two RBI. On the week she had a .733 batting average and an .867 slugging percentage while reaching base 71 percent of the time. Acosta leads the Lady blazers with a .424 average and has played and started in every game this year. She also leads the team in RBI, doubles, hits and at-bats. She is third on the team in homeruns and has stolen five bases this year. VSU takes on Saint Leo tonight, beginning at 5pm.

Saint Leo Sweeps Lady Blazers in Non-Conference Action

2008-04-16

VALDOSTA, Ga.- The Valdosta State softball team dropped a pair of games to non-conference opponent, Saint Leo, on Wednesday night. The Lady Blazers lost 5-2 in the first game and 9-8 in the nine-inning second game. The Lady Blazers (40-13) struggled offensively in the first game, not putting a run on the board until the fourth inning. Saint Leo (30-12) scored one run off of two hits in the first inning and scored two runs in the third off a two-run homerun from Ashley Urbanik. VSU cut the deficit to 3-1 after a solo homerun from Shannon Cleland in the fourth, her 11th of the season. Valdosta State scored again in the fifth inning. Becca Aszman led off with a single down the left field line and advanced on a wild pitch. Kylie Zweifel advanced her to third on a sac bunt and Andi Braswell doubled to left center, scoring the solo run. Down 3-2, VSU gave up a solo shot from SLU's Casis, and falling 5-2 to the Lions. Ashley Hill receieved the loss, pitching 4.2 innings and giving up seven hits and striking out one batter. Only five Lady Blazers had one hit a piece, including Braswell, Alex Acosta, Robin Williams, Cleland and Aszman. Both teams put runs on the board in the first inning of the nightcap, with SLU scoring three runs off of three hits that included another homerun from Urbanik. VSU answered right back with two runs of their own that started off with a single from Braswell followed by another hit by Audrey Massingill, who stole second. Acosta doubled to left field, scoring two runs and putting VSU only down by one run. The Lady Blazers tied the game up at three in the third inning with a solo homer from Massingill, her fifth of the year. The Lions took a 6-3 lead in the sixth that included three singles and two walks and an error by the Lady Blazers. Not wanting history to repeat itself, VSU again tied the game in the sixth inning. With two outs, Leslie VanKirk was hit by a pitch and Aszman singled down the left field line. Zweifel had an RBI single followed by another RBI single from Braswell. Massingill singled to third base, tying the game. Neither team scored in the seventh, forcing extra innings. With an SLU runner automatically placed on second, she advanced on an infield ground ball and scored on a VSU wild pitch. Down 7-6, VSU advanced their automatic runner on a ground ball and drove her in off a single from Braswell. Tied for the third time, Saint Leo's automatic runner reached third on a catching error by VSU in the top of the ninth inning. With two on, the Lions hit a single to left field, scoring two runs. Down by two, VSu had one last chance to either tie or win the game. The automatic runner advanced on a ground ball from Acosta and scored on a sac fly from Williams. With two outs, VSU's hopes of winning were still alive when Kristina Ely reached base on an error by SLU's second baseman. But, the Lady Blazers couldn't pull out the win, ending the game on a ground ball. SLU's Urbank picked up her second win of the night while Kristen Lindsey received the loss for VSU, pitching 5.2 innings and striking out eight and giving up four hits and only one earned run. Braswell and Massingill each had three hits while Acosta, Williams, Aszman and Zweifel each had one. VSU returns to Gulf South Conference action this weekend, as they host West Alabama at home on Saturday, April 19th, beginning at 12 pm. GAME 1 STATS GAME 2 STATS

West Florida Ends Lady Blazer Winning Streak

2008-04-15

PENSACOLA, Fla.- West Florida ended Valdosta State's eight-game winning streak on Monday night as the Argos swept the Lady Blazers 5-2, 6-3 in Gulf South Conference action. After tying the game at two in the second inning of the first game, the Lady Blazers (40-11, 13-5) allowed a three-run fourth inning to give West Florida (35-18, 15-7) a 5-2 win. Kristen Lindsey received the loss, giving up seven hits and striking out five in 6 innings. Kristina Ely was two-for-three with an RBI and Leslie VanKirk also had two hits and an RBI. The Argos were first to score in the second game, scoring five runs in the second inning. VSU came with in two in the third inning, scoring three runs. Andi Braswell walked and with two outs Alex Acosta singled followed by a double down the left field line from Robin Williams, driving in one run. Ely doubled to left center driving in two more runs. UWF added another run in the fourth inning off of two hits and neither team scored the rest of the game as VSU fell 6-3. Stephanie Owen received the loss while Acosta and Williams were the only two Lady Blazers that had two or more hits. VSU returns to action on Wednesday, April 16th when they host Saint Leo beginning at 5 pm. GAME 1 STATS GAME 2 STATS

Softball Goes Undefeated at GSC Crossover

2008-04-13

DECATUR, Ala.- After beating Christian Brothers 12-5 on Sunday afternoon, the Lady Blazers remained undefeated at the Gulf South Conference Crossover, going 5-0 on the weekend. Against Christian Brothers (14-24, 1-19), VSU started the scoring early, scoring two runs in the first inning. Andi Braswell led off with a single and stole second while Audrey Massingill did exactly the same thing. Alex Acosta drove in one run with a single and Robin Williams drove in the second run with a single down the left field line. The Lady Blazers (40-9, 14-3) held CBU scoreless in the first and Leslie VanKirk led off the second with her first homerun of the season to left field. Becca Aszman followed with a walk and Kylie Zweifel advanced the runner with a sac bunt. Braswell and Acosta walked and Williams singled, driving in two runs. Up 4-0, Christian Brothers finally scored, putting two runs on the board off of one hit and one VSU error. Still up by two, the Lady Blazer offense came alive. VanKirk hit her second homerun of the game and her career in the third inning followed by a single from Zweifel. Braswell did not want to be out done, driving in two runs with a homerun to left center. Both teams remained scoreless until the seventh inning when Amy Brightwell led off the inning with a walk and advanced when CBU made a fielding error off of a grounder from Zweifel. Braswell hit her second homerun of the game, driving in three runs. She has nine homeruns on the season. In the game, Braswell was three-for-four with five RBI while Acosta had three hits. Massingill, Williams and VanKirk each had two hits a piece. Kristen Lindsey started the game, but left and was replaced by Ashley Hill who picked up the win, pitching 5.1 innings and striking out eight and giving up four hits. VSU continues conference play tomorrow night when they take on West Florida in Pensacola, Fla.

Softball Sweeps Second Day of GSC Crossover

2008-04-12

DECATUR, Ala.- After being rained out at the second day of the Gulf South Conference Crossover, the Lady Blazer softball team continued their winning streak and defeated Ouachita Baptist 10-2, and Southern Arkansas 10-3, in the third day of the tournament. The Lady Blazers (39-9, 13-3) came out swinging in the first inning of the first game, dropping four runs that included a three-run homerun from Kristina Ely. OBU (19-26, 8-12) cut their deficit in half in the third inning off a two-run homerun, which would be the last time they would score. In the fourth inning, Audrey Massingill led off with a single through the left side, stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball. Alex Acosta drove in her second run of the day with a single followed by a walk from Robin Williams. Ely singled, driving in the final run of the inning. Valdosta State put the eight-run rule into effect in the fifth inning. With two outs, Massingill walked and Acosta singled. Williams reached on an error by the OBU third baseman and Ely stepped up to the plate, hitting her second three-run homerun of the game. Stephanie Owen (7-1) received the win for VSU, giving up eight hits and striking out one batter in 4.1 innings. Ely and Acosta were both four-for-four with Ely driving in seven runs. Massingill was three-for-three. Against Southern Arkansas (7-25, 2-18), Brianna Collis pitched the first two innings, giving up three runs off of a three-run shot in the first inning by SAU. Ashley Hill (10-1) pitched the remainder of the game, striking out four and giving up three hits in 4.21 innings. Down 3-0, VSU came alive offensively, putting four runs on the board in the first inning. Braswell and Massingill led off with singles and each had a stolen base. Acosta had a sac-fly, driving in one run. Then, Shannon Cleland hit her 10th homerun of the season, driving in three-runs. The Lady Blazer offense remained on fire the duration of the game, scoring in the second, fourth and sixth innings. Kylie Zweifel led off the second with a single and later scored on a sac bunt from Aszman. In the fourth, Massingill continued her hot-streak and doubled to left field and later scored on a passed ball. Williams sent a tw-run shot over left field. Right after that, Ely stepped up to the plate and smashed her third homerun of the day over the left field fence, putting VSU up 9-2 and one run away from an early victory. Ely leads VSU with 16 homeruns on the year. That run came in the sixth inning as Acosta walked and later scored on a wild pitch. Four Lady Blazers had two hits, including Braswell, Massingill, Ely and Cleland. The Lady Blazers continue play tomorrow in the fourth day of the Crossover.

Second Day of GSC Crossover Canceled

2008-04-11

The second day of the Softball Gulf South Conference Crossover was canceled due to inclimate weather. The Lady Blazers will resume play Saturday night, taking on Ouachita Baptist and Southern Arkansas at 5 and 7 pm.

Softball Wins First Day of GSC Crossover

2008-04-10

DECATUR, Ala.- In the first day of the Gulf South Conference Crossover, the Valdosta State softball team defeated Arkansas Tech 9-3 and then beat Henderson State 6-1 on Thursday night. Against Arkansas Tech, who VSU (37-9, 11-3) fell to earlier in the season, the Lady Blazers were first to score, putting up one run in the third inning. Kylie Zweifel led off the inning with a single followed by another single by Andi Braswell. With one out, Alex Acosta singled to center field, driving in the solo run of the game. Tech (31-10, 13-4) took the lead in the fourth inning, scoring two runs in the fourth off a VSU error. The Lady Blazers were not going to let history repeat itself as they scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth that began with a double from Shannon Cleland. Leslie VanKirk advanced Cleland to third with a sac bunt who then scored on a throwing error by the ATU catcher. Becca Aszman gave VSU their second double of the inning with a shot to left center, scoring VanKirk. The VSU offense continued wtih a bunt single from Zweifel who stole second and both runners were driven in with a single from Braswell. Acosta drove in the final run of the inning with a sac fly to center field. Up 6-2 in the fifth inning, the Lady Blazers scored three more insurance runs. Again, VSU led off the inning with a double, this time from Kristina Ely. Cleland brought in a run with a sacrifice fly to center field. Aszman picked up her second double of the day, driving in two runs. Arkansas Tech tried to come back in the sixth inning, scoring one run off of two hits, but it wasn't enough as VSU took the game 9-3. Kristen Lindsey picked up her 18th win of the year, giving up nine hits and striking out three batters in 5.2 innings. Ashley Hill made a relief appearance, giving up no hits and striking out one batter in 1.1 innings. Braswell was three-for-four while Aszman and Zweifel were both two-for-three. As a team, VSU was 11-for-27. In the nightcap, VSU took on Henderson State, who is currently 10th in South Region. Both teams were scoreless after the first inning, but VSU broke the dry spell, starting off the second inning with a single from Cleland. Aszman reached after she was hit by a pitch and Zweifel singled, driving in one run. Braswell brought in the final run of the inning with a double. The Lady Blazer offense was not done there as they scored four runs in the third. VSU hit another double to start off the inning from Acosta. Ely walked and later scored on a wild pitch while Cleland singled up the middle, scoring one run. Aszman had another hit, scoring the final run of the inning. HSU scored one run in the fifth inning but VSU took home the 6-1 win. Hill picked up her 9th win of the year, giving up two hits and striking out eight batters in seven innings. Acosta was three-of-four while Cleland was two-for-four. As a team, VSU had 10 hits in 26 at bats. The Lady Blazers play Friday night, taking on Delta State at 3 pm and Arkansas-Monticello at 5pm. Arkansas Tech Stats Henderson State Stats

Softball Blows By Georgia Southwestern

2008-04-08

VALDOSTA, Ga.- Robin Williams sent a two-run homerun over the left field fence to give the Valdosta State softball team an 9-0 victory in game one over Georgia Southwestern on Tuesday night. VSU won game two 10-4. Both teams were scoreless after two innings in the first game until the Lady Blazers (35-9, 9-3) bats came alive, scoring four runs off of four hits. Becca Aszman led off the inning with a single to right field followed by a bunt-single by Kylie Zweifel. Andi Braswell loaded the bases with a walk and Audrey Massingill drove two runs in with a single through the left side. Kristina Ely doubled to right center, scoring the final two runs of the inning. Massingill gave VSU three more runs in the fourth inning with a shot to left center, her fourth homerun of the season. With one out in the sixth inning, Williams hit VSU's second homerun of the game to left field, scoring two runs and giving the Lady Blazers a 9-0 victory over the Lady Hurricanes (17-27). Stephanie Owen picked up the shutout, giving up only one hit and striking out eight in six innings. Massingill went two-for-three with five RBI while Ely was two-for-two with two RBI. As a team, Valdosta State was eight-for-22. In game two, the Lady Blazers started the scoring early, putting two runs on the board in the first inning. With two outs, Alex Acosta singled up the middle. Williams stepped up the plate and belted her second homerun of the day (11th total). To lead off the second inning, Aszman hit her second homerun of the year to left center, giving VSU a 3-0 lead. The Lady Hurricanes finally put some runs on the board in the fourth inning with a two-run homerun of their own from Reneau. After VSU added another run in the fourth inning, they also scored four runs in the sixth inning that included singles from Shannon Cleland, Kelsey Case, Braswell and Williams. Georgia Southwestern tried to come back in the sixth inning, scoring two runs off another homerun by Reneau but it wasn't enough as the Lady Blazers secured their victory by adding another two runs in the sixth inning, winning 10-4. Ashley Hill picked up her eighth win of the season, giving up three hits and striking out six. Brianna Collis made a pitching appearance, her first time on the mound since February 24th against Southern Indiana. The left handed hurler gave up one hit in four batters faced. Cleland and Williams led VSU with three and four hits, respectively while Braswell, Massingill and Acosta each had two hits. The Lady Blazers travel to Decatur, Ala. this weekend to play in the GSC Crossover. They take on Arkansas Tech at 5 pm on Thursday and Henderson State at 9 pm. Game 1 Stats Game 2 Stats

Softball Splits At North Alabama

2008-04-06

FLORENCE, Ala.- The #12 Valdosta State softball team split a pair of Gulf South Conference games against North Alabama on Sunday afternoon, falling the first game 5-4 but defeating the Lions 7-3 in the nightcap. In game one, the Lady Blazers (33-9, 9-3) had a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the fifth inning after Kristina Ely and Alex Acosta homered in the fourth and fifth innings, driving in two runs each. North Alabama came from behind and scored three runs off of four hits, tying the game at four. VSU could not score in the sixth and seventh innings and with the game on the line in the bottom of the seventh, the Lions led off with a double then singled to win the game 5-4. Kristen Lindsey started the game and came out in the bottom of the fifth inning, giving up eight hits and three earned runs. Ashley Hill received the loss, giving up two hits and one run in two innings. Robin Williams was two-for-three while Ely and Acosta were both one-for-three with two RBI. The Valdosta State offense came out swinging in game two with the Lady Blazers scoring two runs in the first inning off a homerun by Williams, which scored Acosta who singled earlier in the inning. In the third inning the #12 team in the nation scored three runs off of singles from Ely, Shannon Cleland, Becca Aszman and Kylie Zweifel. Still holding UNA scoreless, the Lady Blazers added another two runs in the fifth inning with a lead-off single from Stephanie Owen. Aszman reached base on an error by North Alabama's second baseman and Zweifel singled, loading the bases. Andi Braswell scored a run with a single up the middle and Acosta drove in one run with a sac fly to center field. The Lions gave VSU a scare in the bottom of the fifth, as they scored three runs off of four hits, but it wasn't enough as the Lady Blazers held on for a 7-3 win. Hill picked up her seventh win of the season while Owen got the save. Four Lady Blazers had two hits, including Braswell, Acosta, Ely and Owen while Zweifel was four-for-four. VSU returns to action on Tuesday, April 8th when they host Georgia Southwestern at the Softball Complex, beginning at 5 pm. Game 1 stats Game 2 Stats

Lady Blazers Drop Two At Saint Leo

2008-04-03

SAINT LEO, Fla.- For the first time in Head Coach Thomas Macera's reign at Valdosta State, the #11 Lady Blazers dropped two games, in non-conference Gulf South Conference action to Saint Leo on Wednesday night, 9-0, 4-2. The Lady Blazer (32-8, 8-2) offense struggled in game one, only picking up five hits in the game and allowing Saine Leo 12 hits and forcing the game to end after six innings. Only four players had hits, including Andi Braswell who was two-for-three, Audrey Massingille (one-for-one), Robin Williams was one-fo-rtwo and Becca Aszman was one-for-two. Kristen Lindsey received the loss in game one for VSU. In game two, the Lady Blazer bats came alive and they had 10 hits compared to Saint Leo's six. Shannon Cleland had a homerun and Aszman had a double, but it wasn't enough as VSU left nine runners on base while Saint Leo only left three. Stephanie Owen picked up the loss as VSU fell 4-2 to Saint Leo. Valdosta State travels to Alabama-Huntsville on Saturday for a GSC double-header beginning at 1 pm.

Softball Ranked Third in South Region Poll

2008-03-27

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.- The Valdosta State softball team is currently ranked third in the first South Region Poll, according to a release that came out Wednesday by the NCAA. The region ranking is based on a point system that takes into account wins-losses overall, in-region wins-losses and strength of schedule along with other things. Ahead of the Lady Blazers (32-2, 8-2) are Alabama-Huntsville who is in the #2 spot sporting a 22-5 in-region record while Barry holds the #1 spot with a 16-2 in-region record. At the end of the season eight teams make the South Region Tournament. Last year, the Lady Blazers hosted the Region Tournament. Here is a list of the top 10 teams in the South Region and their in-region record: 1. Barry (16-2) 2. Alabama-Huntsville (22-5) 3. Valdosta State (23-5) 4. Tampa (14-6) 5. Florida Southern (8-6) 6. Nova Southeastern (11-7) 7. Saint Leo (11-4) 8. Rollins (9-8) 9. Henderson State (5-1) 10. Arkansas Tech (11-3) The Lady Blazers, who are currently ranked 11th in the nation according to the NFCA, are off this weekend and return to action on April 2nd when they will play St. Leo on the road at 5 and 7 pm. This game is a make-up game.

Kristen Lindsey Receives Pitcher-of-the-Week Honors

2008-03-26

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- Kristen Lindsey has been named the Gulf South Conference Pitcher-of-the-Week, according to a release made by the GSC on Tuesday. The senior hurler helped the Lady Blazers go 4-0 over the weekend in conference play. Lindsey started and picked up the win in an 8-0 victory over West Alabama. She gave up only three hits and had eight strikeouts in six innings. Her day wasn't through as she came in the nightcap of the double header, pitching four innings and picking up another win while giving up one earned run and three strikeouts. VSU traveled to West Georgia where Lindsey helped lead the Lady Blazers to a 15-5 win, pitching seven innings and giving up 12 hits, four earned runs and striking out six batters. On the weekend, the Valdosta, Ga. native pitched 17 innings and gave up seven runs, five earned runs, six walks and struck out 17 batters. Lindsey leads the Lady Blazer pitching with a 1.54 ERA and a 17-5 overall record. She owns four shutouts, one save and has pitched 122 innings, owning 100 strikeouts on the year. The Lady Blazers are off this weekend and travel to Alabama-Huntsville on April 5th for a double header that begins at 1 pm.

Softball Sweeps Georgia Southwestern

2008-03-25

AMERICUS, Ga.- The #11 Valdosta State women's softball team won their sixth consecutive game, sweeping Georgia Southwestern 7-5, 11-2 on Tuesday night. VSU (32-6, 8-2) tallied seven homeruns on the night, picking up two in the first game. Kristen Lindsey picked up the win, giving up 11 hits and striking out four while Stephanie Owen got the save. Seven Lady Blazers had hits including Andi Braswell and Audrey Massingill who each had one hit and scored a run, Alex Acosta was three-for-four with a run, Robin Williams was two-for-four and Kristina Ely and Shannon Cleland each had multiple hits that included homeruns. Kylie Zweifel went two-for-four. VSU put on an offensive show in game two, hitting five homeruns and defeating GSWU 11-2. Owen picked up the win giving up seven hits while eight players had hits. Braswell led the offense, going four-for-four with two homeruns while Massingill was two-for-three, Acosta one-for-four and Ely two-for-three, each girl with a homerun. Williams went two-for-four, Zweifel was one-of-three and Kristie Cornell had one hit. Valdosta State has the weekend off and return to play on April 5th when they travel to Alabama-Huntsville for a double-header that begins at 1 pm. Game 1 Stats Game 2 Stats

Lady Blazers Blow Past West Georgia 15-5, 4-3

2008-03-22

CARROLLTON, Ga- Four Lady Blazers had homeruns in a Gulf South Conference sweep over West Georgia, 15-5, 4-3, on Saturday afternoon. Kristen Lindsey picked up her third win in two days in game one, giving up four earned runs and striking out six batters in seven innings. VSU's offense was on fire while Audrey Massingill was two-for-four with a double, Alex Acosta was three-for-five with a homerun, Robin Williams and Kylie Zweifel were both two-for-four and Shannon Cleland also had a homerun. Game two was much closer, with Ashley Hill getting the win, giving up 10 hits and three earned runs in six and a third innings. Stephanie Owen picked up the save. Massingill had another two-hit game while Kristina Ely was two-for-four with a homerun. Andi Braswell had the fourth homerun of the day while Leslie VanKirk and Zweifel went two-for-three. The Lady Blazers travel to Georgia Southwestern on Tuesday, March 25th for a non-conference doubleheader.

Softball Sweeps West Alabama

2008-03-21

LIVINGSTON, Ala.- The Lady Blazers defeated West Alabama 8-0, 3-2, in a Gulf South Conference sweep in Livingston, Ala. Four Lady Blazers had two hits in the first game, including Andi Braswell who went two-for-four with a stolen base, Alex Acosta was two-for-two with a triple and a homerun and had five RBI's, Kristina Ely was two-for-four and Amy Brightwell went two-for-two with one RBI. Valdosta State scored four runs in the fourth inning and one in the sixth, clinching the win and allowing the eight-run rule to be in effect. Kristen Lindsey picked up the win, giving up only three hits and striking out eight batters in six innings. The second game was much closer, with VSU defeating the Tigers 3-2 in nine innings. Stephanie Owens started off the game on the mound, but was taken out with the Lady Blazers trailing 1-0. Lindsey came in in the fourth inning and gave up one earned run, two hits and struck out three batters. Valdosta State was down 1-0 going into the ninth inning. Robin Williams reached base and was driven in by Shannon Cleland. Kristie Cornell scored Cleland, giving the Lady Blazers a 3-1 lead. The Tigers offense was not done as UWA scored one run in the ninth, but it wasn't enough as the Lady Blazer went on to win their sixth conference game this season. Cleland was two-for four and Williams was three-for-four. VSU travels to West Georgia on Saturday afternoon.

Lady Blazers Split with UAH

2008-03-16

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State and Alabama-Huntsville split a Gulf South Conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon at the VSU softball complex, with the Chargers claiming game one 2-1 while VSU tallied a 4-3 victory in eight innings in game two. Valdosta State (26-6) opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning of the first game as it took advantage of an error by UAH third baseman Amy Harris. With two out in the frame, Alex Acosta hit a ball at Harris which hit off her glove and over her head. Acosta proceeded to move to second on a pitch in the dirt that squirted away from Charger catcher Krystal Johnson and scored when Robin Williams singled through the left-side of the infield. Alabama-Huntsville (27-4) gained the lead in the third inning thanks to Marilyn Cooper's third home run of the season. Erin Duke doubled to open the frame and moved to third on a ground out, bringing Cooper to the plate. The rightfielder worked a 3-1 count before hitting an offering from VSU starter Kristin Lindsey to straight-away centerfield for a 2-1 UAH lead. Lindsey allowed just four hits and the two runs in seven innings as she fell to 12-5 on the year. Caitlin Lee also pitched a complete game for the Chargers, allowing four hits while overcoming four errors by her defense to improve to 8-0. The Lady Blazers used a pair of home runs to grab the lead in the second game of the day. Williams got VSU on the board as she led off the second inning with a home run over the left field fence, her seven round-tripper of the season, while Audrey Massingill homered to left in the third. Becca Aszman, who had walked to open the third, also scored on the play to give Valdosta State a 3-0 lead. The Chargers evened the game in the top of the fifth as Cooper hit her second home run of the day. Michelle Ingram reached on an infield single to open the in frame and moved to second when Megan Blanchard walked to batters later. Cooper proceeded to hit a 1-1 pitch over the fence in right to knot the game at 3-3. Asman walked to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning and was lifted for pinch-runner Leslie VanKirk, who was sacrificed to second. Andi Braswell followed with a double to left-center, driving in VanKirk for the winning run. Lindsey came on in relief and was perfect through an inning and a third to improve to 13-5 on the year. Sage Woodham pitched two and a third innings for the Chargers, surrendering one hit and a run to fall to 10-3. Acosta, Zweifel and Williams all finished the day with two hits to lead VSU offensively. Valdosta State returns to action Friday, March 21 when it travels to Livingston, Ala. for a doubleheader against West Alabama beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Follow VSU Softball Via Livestats

2008-03-15

Follow the season's home softball action via the internet by clicking here. The link can also be found on the softball homepage on the lower right. The Lady Blazers play North Alabama in a doubleheader on Saturday before hosting No. 1 Alabama-Huntsville for a pair of games Sunday.

Softball Sweeps North Alabama

2008-03-15

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State claimed a pair of Gulf South Conference softball victories Saturday as the Lady Blazers topped North Alabama 4-2 and 8-6 at the VSU Softball Complex. UNA (9-10, 0-2) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning of game one as Lindsey Greene singled to open the frame, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and third on a foul out. Lindsey Bates proceeded to reach on an infield single, driving home Greene for a 1-0 Lion lead. The Lady Blazers (25-5, 3-1) responded with a run in the bottom of the frame to even the game at 1-1. Andi Brawell reached on a fielding error to open the frame and was sacrificed to second bring Alex Acosta to the plate. The VSU shortstop fought off a strike count before singling off the fence in left to plate Braswell for the tying run. Shannon Cleland and Kristina Ely combined to score Valdosta State's final three runs of the first game. Ely tripled to open the fourth inning and came home when Cleland followed with a base hit to left while Ely walked to open the VSU half of the sixth and scored on Cleland's sixth home run of the season, a shot over the fence in centerfield that posted the Lady Blazers to a 4-1 advantage. Jennifer Sharp's pinch-hit home run leading off the top of the seventh closed out the contest%u2019s scoring. Kristen Lindsey (12-4) picked up the game one win as she allowed eight hits and two runs, both earned, in a complete game effort. Megan Neisel allowed six hits and four runs, three of which were earned, in six innings to fall to 5-3 on the year. North Alabama again scored first in the second game as it plated a single run in the second. With one out Maggie Eades singled and advanced to second on a Jennifer Sharp walk. A fielder's choice erased Eades for the second out of the frame, but Kim Lee singled to load the bases. Greene proceeded to walk, forcing in Sharp for a 1-0 Lion lead. VSU gained the lead in the bottom of the inning as it scored a pair of runs. Ely led off with her team-leading eighth homer of the year to even the game. Two batters later, Kelsey Case singled and stole second before moving to third on a Becca Aszman ground out. Kylie Zweifel proceeded to reach on a bunt hit that plated Case for a 2-1 VSU edge. Robin Williams hit her sixth home run of the year in the bottom of the third, scoring Acosta in the process, to push the Lady Blazer lead to 4-1, before coming home on Ely's second home run of the game with two outs in the fifth to give VSU a five run cushion. North Alabama scored five runs in the top of the seventh to even the game. Eades hit her first home run of the season, driving in Bates and Andrea Palmer in the process, to pull the Lions to within three. Sharp was hit by a pitch and advanced to third when Ally Pridmore doubled before Lee singled down the right field line to plate both base runner and even the game at 6-6. Audrey Massingill was hit by a pitch to open the VSU half of the frame and scored the game-winning run as Acosta hit a towering shot over the scoreboard in left-center field, her seventh homer of the year. Stephanie Owen came on in relief with none out and two on in the third and allowed just five hits and three runs over the final five innings to improve to 4-0 on the year. UNA%u2019s Anna Ard pitched the final two innings of the game to fall to 1-5. Valdosta State returns to action Sunday when it hosts No. 1 Alabama-Huntsville at 1:00 p.m. in the VSU Softball Complex.

VSU Sweeps Doubleheader from Eckerd

2008-03-12

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Valdosta State swept a pair of non-conference softball games as the Blazers defeated Eckerd 10-0 and 11-2 Wednesday afternoon at Turley Field. The Lady Blazers (23-5) wasted no time getting on the board in the first game as Andi Braswell led off the top of the first inning with a home run to center field. Audrey Massingill followed with a double to left-center and Alex Acosta drew a walk before Robin Williams homered to left. Kristina Ely and Shannon Cleland proceeded to draw back-to-back walks while Ely scored on a Kelsey Case single to give VSU a 5-0 lead. VSU added three more runs in the third, on a two-run Case double and a run-scoring single by Braswell before tallying two more in the fourth on a Ely double and a Case base hit. Valdosta State also opened game two with a five-run first. With one out in the frame, Massingill was hit by a pitch and moved around to third when Acosta, who reached second on the play, reached base on an error. Williams proceeded to single to drive in both base runners. Leslie VanKirk pinch ran for Williams and moved to third on an Ely double before Case also doubled to score both base runners. An error on a Becca Aszman fly ball closed out the scoring as it allowed Case to score for a 5-0 VSU lead. An Aszman single in the third scored two more runs for the Lady Blazers while the Lady Tritons scored two runs in the fourth on a home run. VSU closed out the scoring with four runs in the sixth on a Cleland grand slam. Kristen Lindsey struck out five while allowing just two hits in the first game to improve to 11-4 on the year while Steph Owen allowed seven hits in six innings in game two to up her record to 3-0. Case tallied five hits in six at-bats to lead VSU on the day while Williams was five-of-seven. Valdosta State returns to action Saturday, March 15 when it hosts North Alabama at Noon for a doubleheader.

Softball Ends UAM Tourney With Two Wins

2008-03-02

MONTICELLO, Ark.- The Valdosta State softball team ended the Arkansas-Monticello Tournament with two wins over Ouachita Baptist, 3-2, and Arkansas Pine-Bluff, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon. Kristen Lindsey picked up the win over OBU, giving up only three hits, two runs and striking out six batters in VSU's (21-5) 3-2 victory. Six Lady Blazers picked up hits, including Andi Braswell, Robin Williams, Shannon Cleland, Becca Aszman and Kelsey Case, who added a homerun to her stats. Audrey Massingill was two-for-three in the game. Valdosta State held Pine-Bluff scoreless, while freshman Stephanie Owen picked up the win, giving up three hits and striking out four batters. Again, six Lady Blazers had hits, including Massingill, Alex Acosta, Cleland and Aszman while Braswell and Kristina Ely had two hits a piece. The Lady Blazers return home on Tuesday, March 4th for a double-header against Barry University, starting at 2 pm.

Softball Splits at Second Day of UAM Tournament

2008-03-01

MONTICELLO, Ark.- The Valdosta State softball team split a pair of games at the second day of the Arkansas-Monticello Tournament. VSU defeated Division I Arkansas Pine-Bluff 9-0, but fell to Arkansas Tech 2-1. Stephanie Owen picked up her first win of the season, pitching six innings and giving up only three hits while striking out three in a 9-0 win over Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Alex Acosta was three-for-four while Kristina Ely was three-of-four with a three-run homerun. Shannon Cleland had two hits also. Against Arkansas Tech, the Lady Blazers (19-5) only had three hits during the game. Acosta was one-for-three, while Ely scored the only run of the game with another homerun. Cleland had one hit. Kristen Lindsey picked up the loss. The Lady Blazers continue in day three of the UAM Tournament tomorrow, taking on Ouachita Baptist at 11 am and Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 1 pm.

Softball Wins at Arkansas-Monticello Tournament

2008-02-29

MONTICELLO, Ark.- The Valdosta State softball team swept at the first day of the Arkansas-Monticello Tournament on Friday afternoon, defeating UAM 9-0 and blowing out Ouachita Baptist 12-2. The Lady Blazers (18-4) snapped Monticello's three-game winning streak with a 9-0 victory. Andi Braswell was one-for-three with a double, scoring two runs. Becca Aszman and Audrey Massingill were both one-for-three with a run scored. Up 5-0 going into the seventh inning, Alex Acosta stepped up to the plate and belted a grand slam over the UAM fence. The senior also hit a solo homerun earlier in the game. Kristen Lindsey picked up the win for VSU, giving up only four hits while striking out eight. VSU turned right around and played Ouachita Baptist, defeating the Tigers 12-2. The Lady Blazers were down 2-0 after the first inning and Macera turned to Lindsey to stop the OBU offense. After that, Valdosta State scored 12 runs while eight players reached base. Acosta's offensive drive continued as she went two-for-three, scoring one run while Robin William scored two runs and went two-for-three. Massingill went three-for-three with a run scored. Kristina Ely had a hit while Shannon Cleland, Kristie Cornell and Aszman each had two hits. Lindsey picked up her second win of the day, only giving up one hit and striking out one batter. VSU will play day two of the UAM Tournament, taking on Division I Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 3 pm and Arkansas Tech at 5 pm.

Blazers Sweep at UAH Charger Chill Out

2008-02-24

DECATUR, Ala. - Valdosta State held off a come-back bid to defeat Lewis 6-5 before cruising to a 13-4 win over Southern Indiana in the second game of Sunday's UAH Charger Chill Out at the Wilson-Morgan Softball Complex. In the day's first game, Valdosta State (16-4) built a 6-2 lead through five innings before having to fend off a Lewis (1-6) comeback bid. The Flyers opened the scoring in the first inning as Kayla Smith doubled to open the frame and moved to third on a Mallory Paine base hit. Carla Musillo's infield single plated Smith for a 1-0 LU lead. The Flyers added a second run in the third as Smith led off with a home run before VSU answered with four runs in the top of the fourth. Kylie Zweifel walked to open the inning and beat the throw to second on a Alex Acosta fielder's choice. Robin Williams proceeded to hit her fourth home run of the season. Shannon Cleland followed with a base hit and moved to second on a throwing error before Kristina Ely laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance her to third. Becca Aszman's single plated Cleland to give Valdosta State a 4-2 lead. The Blazers added two more runs in the fifth. With one out, Acosta walked and Williams singled before being lifted for pinch runner Leslie VanKirk. A ground out moved both runners into scoring position, allowing them to score on an Ely base hit to give VSU a 6-2 advantage Lewis responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. With none out and one on, Lisa Gartland reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on a wild pitch. Jessica Beck walked to put two runners before Kara Harmatys singled to plate Gartland. Smith and Paine followed with run scoring singles to close the Flyers to within one run. Kristen Lindsey improved to 7-3 in the contest as she allowed six hits and two runs while striking out five in five innings of work. Ashley Hill picked up the save as she gave up one hit in the seventh. Williams finished the game with two hits and three RBI in four at-bats while Cleland was also two-of-four. The Blazers scored seven runs in the second inning of game two and, after Southern Indiana (2-5) plated a run in the bottom of the inning, added four more runs in the third. The Screaming Eagles scratched back for their second run in the third before both teams plated a pair of runs in the fifth to close out the scoring. Hill picked up the win in the contest as she allowed four runs, only two of which were earned, and four hits while striking out four in five innings of work. Andi Braswell, Cleland and Audrey Massingill all hit home runs in the contest while Williams was three-of-four at the plate and Ely three-of-three. Valdosta State returns to action Friday, February 29 when it opens play in the Arkansas-Monticello Tournament with contests against UAM and Ouachita Baptist.

Softball Splits at UAH Chill Out

2008-02-23

DECATUR, Ala. - Valdosta State fell 3-0 to defending national champion Southern Illinois-Edwardsville before defeating Missouri S&T 9-1 to split in the first day of competition at the UAH Charger Chill Out Saturday at the Wilson-Morgan Softball Complex. After seeing both games on the Chill Out rained out on Friday, the Lady Blazers (14-4) suffered their second shutout of the year against the defending national champions in Saturday's first game of the day. Kristin Lindsey pitched a complete game against the Cougars (5-0), surrendering six hits and just two earned runs while striking out seven as she fell to 6-3 on the season. Robin Williams and Andi Braswell each picked up hits for the Lady Blazers in the game. In the day's second game, VSU plated a single run in the third, on a Braswell home run, before scoring sixth in the fourth to take a 7-0 lead. Shannon Cleland singled to open the frame and moved to second on a ground out before Kristie Cornell walked. Another ground out moved both runners into scoring position and Becca Aszman was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A pair of walks forced in Cleland and Cornell before Alex Acosta hit a grand slam, her fourth home run of the season, to push the Lady Blazer advantage to seven runs. The Lady Miners got a run back with a single run in the bottom of the fourth while VSU got a homer from Kristina Ely in the fifth and another from Cleland in the seventh to close out the scoring. Brianna Collis pitched a pre-determined four innings and allowed five hits and a run while striking out six to improve to 4-1 on the season. Acosta, Ely and Cleland all tallied two hits for the Blazers. Valdosta State returns to action Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. when it plays Lewis. The Lady Blazers also play Southern Indiana at 11:00 a.m.

Softball Sweeps Albany State

2008-02-19

ALBANY, Ga.- The Valdosta State women's softball team swept Albany State on Tuesday night, 2-0 in game one and 9-1 in game two. Brianna Collis (4-1) picked up her second shutout of the season, giving up four hits and striking out eight batters in 7.0 innings. Andi Braswell and Audrey Massingill were both two-for-four with one run each. The Lady Blazer (13-3) offense came alive in game two, with Robin Williams going two-for-four with a two-run homerun, her third of the season. Becca Aszman was one-for-one with a double, scoring one run and Kristina Ely was one-for-three with a double and one run. Kristen Lindsey (6-2) picked up the win for VSU, giving up four hits, one unearned run and striking out nine batters in six innings. Valdosta State travels to Huntsville, Alabama this weekend to compete in the Charger Chillout. The Lady Blazers take on Kentucky Wesleyan and Missouri Western on Friday afternoon at 1 pm and 3 pm.

Softball vs. Albany State Cancelled

2008-02-18

The Valdosta State softball double-header at Albany State today has been cancelled. The game will be played tomorrow, Tuesday, February 19th at 1 pm. The Lady Blazers travel to Decatur, Ala. to participate in the 2008 Charger Chillout hosted by Alabama-Huntsville. VSU takes on Missouri Western at 11 am and Kentucky Wesleyan at 1 pm on Friday.

Softball Splits Second Day of VSU Chick-fil-A Crossover

2008-02-17

VALDOSTA, Ga- The Valdosta State women's softball team split at the second day of the VSU Chick-fil-A Crossover. In game one, the Lady Blazers defeated Eckerd 9-3 but fell 3-2 to Tampa in the nightcap. In game one, the Lady Blazers (11-3) committed two errors in the first inning that allowed Eckerd (0-10) to score two runs. VSU tied it up in the fourth inning with a two-run homerun from Kristina Ely, her fourth of the season. In the fifth inning, Andi Braswell scored after she doubled to left center and was brought in by Alex Acosta, who doubled to center field. The Lady Blazers took a commanding 6-3 lead after a three-run sixth inning that included a double from Ely and a single from Becca Aszman. Acosta led off the seventh inning with a solo homerun, giving VSU a 7-3 lead. The Lady Blazer offense wasn't done there as Robin Williams and Shannon Cleland and Brianna Collis followed with walks and Aszman singled driving in two runs. Kristen Lindsey picked up her fourth win of the season, giving up six hits, one earned run and striking out one in six innings. Ely was three-for-four with a single, double and homerun while Aszman and Acosta were both two-for-four. Like the first game, the Lady Blazers committed two errors in the first inning of game two and allowed one run to score. But VSU answered right back with two runs of their own. Braswell led off with a single to right field and advanced on a sac bunt from Audrey Massingill. Williams stepped up to the plate and belted a homerun over the left field fence, putting VSU up 2-1. Tampa (6-2) squeeked in a run in the third inning, leading off with a double to left center followed by a single, advancing the runner to third. Their left fielder stepped up to the plate and hit a sac fly to center field that brought in a run. The Lady Blazers had several chances to tie the game, leaving four runners on base in the next four innings, but could not pull out a victory, falling 3-2 to the Lady Spartans. UT's Deanna Henriott picked up the win, giving up four hits and striking out nine batters in 7.0 innings. Collis received the loss for VSU, giving up two hits and striking out two in 3.2 innings. Williams was the only Lady Blazer to get two hits. The Lady Blazers travel to Albany State on Monday night for a double-header that begins at 5 pm. ECKERD STATS TAMPA STATS

Softball Sweeps at first day of VSU Chick-fil-A Crossover

2008-02-16

VALDOSTA, Ga.- The Valdosta State softball team swept the first day of the VSU Chick-fil-A Crossover on Saturday, February 16th, defeating Eckerd 7-0 and Tampa 9-3. The Lady Blazers (10-2) got their bats going in the first inning of the Eckerd (0-9) game, picking up three runs off of four hits that included shots from Andi Braswell, Audrey Massingill, Alex Acosta who picked up her second homerun and a double from Shannon Cleland. Both teams remained scoreless until the sixth inning when the Lady Blazers picked up four more runs. Kristina Ely reached base on an error by EC's shortstop and advanced on a sac bunt from Kelsey Case. With one out, Becca Aszman singled, scoring two runs. Massingill singled up the middle followed by a single from Acosta, scoring the last two runs. The Lady Tritons could not come up with any runs in the seventh inning, allowing Valdosta State to win the game 7-0. Ashley Hill pitched a no-hitter for VSU, only walking two batters and striking out eight, giving the junior her fourth win of the season. Acosta was three-for-four with five RBI's and Aszman was three-for-three with two RBI's. As a team, VSU was 12-for-28, a .429 average. In the second game, things started to look shaky for the Lady Blazers. The VSU defense gave up three runs in the top of the inning but that did not keep them down. VSU's offense came out swining in the bottom of the inning and forced three Tampa errors. Andi Braswell led of the inning with a walk and Massingill reached on an error. Acosta reached base on another UT error. With the bases loaded, Robin Williams stepped up the plate and reached on a fielder's choice and allowed a run to score on a throwing error by the second baseman. With two on, Shannon Cleland homered to straight center, putting VSU on top 4-3. The Lady Blazer offense didn't stop there as VSU scored two more runs in the second inning off of two hits. In the third inning, VSU picked up another three runs that included a solo homerun from Brianna Collis and a double from Kelsey Case. The VSU defense held Tampa scoreless the rest of the game as VSU picked up the win 9-3. Kristen Lindsey picked up her fourth win of the year, giving up four hits and striking out four in 5.0 innings. Braswell was two-for-three while Cleland was two-for-four with three RBI's. Day two of the VSU Chick-fil-A Crossover continues tomorrow, February 17th, when the Lady Blazers take on Eckerd at 1 pm and Tampa at 3 pm at the Softball Complex. ECKERD STATS TAMPA STATS

Softball Splits against West Florida

2008-02-15

VALDOSTA, Ga.- The Valdosta State softball team split their Gulf South Conference opener on Friday night at the Softball Complex, falling game one 3-2 and defeating the Argonauts 3-2 in the nightcap. The Lady Blazers (8-2, 1-1)scored a run in the first inning, starting with a single up the middle from Audrey Massingill who stole second and advanced to third on a single from Alex Acosta. Attempting to steal, Acosta was out at second and Massingill scored on an error by UWF's catcher, attempting to throw her out at third base. West Florida tied it up in the top of the fourth and VSU regained the lead with a run in the sixth inning. Acosta singled followed by a walk from Robin Williams. Kyle Zweifel entered the game as a pinch runner for Williams who advanced to second on a fielders choice while Acosta was out at third. Shannon Cleland stepped up to bat for VSU and singled, driving in Acosta. The Argonauts offense came alive in the seventh inning and the Lady Blazers could not come back in the bottom of the inning, with UWF's Emily Burge striking out two and forcing a pop-up. Kristen Lindsey picked up her second loss of the season, giving up five hits and striking out three in seven innings of play. Acosta was two-for-three and Cleland was two-for-three with an RBI. UWF's Burge picked up the win in relief, pitching two innings and striking out three. West Florida started off on a two-run lead over the Lady Blazers before VSU picked up a run in the fourth. Andi Braswell tripled to start off the inning and scored on West Florida throwing error. Both teams remained scoreless until the seventh inning when the VSU bats came alive. Williams homored to left field to start the inning, tying the game at two. Cleland reached base on an error by the second baseman and Kristie Cornell singled through the right side. WIth two outs, Becca Aszman doubled to right field, scoring Cleland and giving the Lady Blazers their eighth win of the season. Brianna Collis picked up her third win with four strikeouts in seven innnings. Cornell was two-for-three and Williams picked up her first homerun of the season. The Lady Blazers hold the VSU Chick-fil-A Crossover this weekend, welcoming teams from Eckerd, Tampa and West Florida. On Saturday, the Lady Blazers take on Eckerd and Tampa at 11 am and 5 pm. GAME 1 STATS GAME 2 STATS

Softball Doubleheader Cancelled

2008-02-12

The Valdosta State women's softball doubleheader vs. St. Leo today has been cancelled due to inclimate weather. A make-up date has not been scheduled yet. The Lady Blazers take on West Florida on Friday, February 15th at 5 and 7 pm and then host the VSU Chick-fil-A Crossover on Saturday and Sunday. VSU plays at 11 and 5 on Saturday and 1 and 3 on Sunday.

Softball Sweeps Thomas 10-0, 5-4

2008-02-08

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

Softball Sweeps Third Day of Barry/Nova Tournament

2008-02-03

FT LAUDERDALE, Fla.- The Valdosta State women's softball team swept day three of the Barry/Nova Tournament, defeating Eckerd 14-1 in their first game and came from behind to defeat Nova 5-4 in the nightcap. Against Eckerd, the Lady Blazers (4-1) came out swinging, scoring two runs in the 1st inning, another in the 2nd and an impressive 11 runs in the 6th. VSU allowed Eckerd (0-4) only one run in the 5th inning. Audrey Massingill was a perfect four-for-four with two RBI's, one run and a stolen base. Kristina Ely was three-of-four with two runs and an RBI and Kelsey Case was three-for-four with a double, two runs and four RBI's. Ashley Hill picked up the win. In 4.2 innings pitched she have up four hits, one earned run and had two strikeouts in VSU's 14-1 blowout over Eckerd. The Lady Blazers were down by two runs entering the sixth inning against Nova Southeastern in their final game of the tournament. Shannon Cleland stepped up to the plate and homered to right center field putting VSU within one run of tying. Up next, Ely sent a shot to left center, picking up her second homerun of the season. With the game tied at three, Nova scored a run in the seventh. Becca Aszman singled to right field and advanced to third on a single from Audrey Massingill. The Lady Sharks walked Alex Acosta to get to Robin Williams, who doubled to left center, driving in two runs to win the game 5-4. Williams was two-for-four with two RBI's and Ely was two-for-three with one run and one RBI. Brianna Collis picked up the win, giving up 10 hits, three earned runs and had one strikeout. Valdosta State softball plays their home opener this Friday, February 8th in a double header vs. Thomas beginning at 5 pm. Eckerd Stats Nova Stats

Softball Sweeps Pair of Games

2008-02-02

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Valdosta State cruised through its first game, defeating Palm Beach Atlantic 6-1, and used a late inning rally in its second, to claim a 3-2 win over Nova Southeastern, to sweep a pair of games in the Barry/Nova Southeastern Softball Invitational Saturday at A.D. Griffin Sports Complex. VSU (3-1) led throughout the first game as it opened the scoring in the top of the second inning. Kristina Ely walked to open the frame and moved to second on a Kristie Cornell sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Becca Aszman singled to score Ely for a 1-0 Lady Blazer lead. Valdosta State loaded the bases in the third as its first three batters reached safely. Audrey Massingil walked to opened the inning with a walk before Alex Acosta. Robin Williams proceeded to single before being lifted for pinch runner Kelsey Case. Massingil eventually scored on a passed ball while Acosta came home on a wild pitch to up the VSU advantage to 3-0. The Lady Blazers plated their final three runs of the game in the seventh inning, with all three coming with two outs. After PBA retired the first two runners of the inning, Massingil singled and moved to second on an Acosta base hit. Williams plated Massingil with a double while Shannon Cleland's single plated both base runners to give the Blazers a 6-0 edge. Palm Beach Atlantic (0-3) scored its only run in the bottom of inning as Caitlin Bouschet scored on a Cheryl Stephens single. Ashley Hill surrendered just one hit in five innings of work to improve to 1-0 on the year for the Blazers while Andrea Fugate took the loss for Palm Beach Atlantic. In the second game, Acosta gave Valdosta State a 1-0 lead in the third inning as she hit her first home run of the season. NSU responded with a run in the bottom of the fifth and in the top of the seventh to take a 2-1 lead before the Lady Blazers rallied. Aszman walked to open the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. A Massingil hit put runners at first and third. A double steal tied the game at 2-2 before Acosta was walked. Williams followed with a double to right to score Massingil for the VSU victory. Kristin Lindsey struck out seven in a complete game effort to improve to 1-1 on the season. Valdosta State closes the tournament with a pair of games Sunday. The Lady Blazers play Eckerd at 9:00 a.m. before once again facing Nova Southeastern at 11:15. Palm Beach Stats Nova Stats

Softball Splits at First Day of Barry/Nova Tourney

2008-02-01

MIAMI SHORES, Fla.- The Valdosta State women's softball team split at the first day of the Barry/Nova Tournament. The Lady Blazers fell to Florida Tech their first game 1-0 but defeated Barry in the nightcap 3-2. Against FIT (1-0) Kristen Lindsey pitched a one-hitter, giving up her only hit in the fourth inning. The Lady Blazers (1-1) committed two errors following the hit, allowing the only run of the game. Brianna Collis was one-for-two on the game while Audrey Massingill and Shannon Cleland were both one-for-three. VSU left three runners on base while Florida Tech left four. FIT's (1-0) Fallon received the win. Picking up their offense versus Barry, the Lady Blazers tallied nine hits with Andi Braswell going three-for-four with a run, Alex Acosta getting two hits and Kristina Ely picking up VSU's first homerun of the season. The Lady Blazers were first to score in the game with a run in the second. Barry came back and tied it up in the third inning but VSU pulled through in the fifth with two runs. Collis received the win in seven innings pitched, giving up eight hits and striking out one. Valdosta State plays two games on Saturday afternoon with their first game at 12:15 pm against Palm Beach Atlantic and their second game at 2:30 pm against Nova Southeastern. Florida Tech Stats Barry Stats

Softball Picked To Win GSC East Division

2008-01-29

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The 2008 Valdosta State softball team was picked to win the Gulf South Conference East Division, according to a release made by the GSC today. The Lady Blazers received four first place votes out of a possible six to win the East, leaving them with 24 total points. Alabama-Huntsville was picked to come in second, with 20 points while West Florida came in third with 16 points. North Alabama, West Georgia and West Alabama rounded out the group. VSU was picked to come in second at the GSC Tournament, behind Huntsville. Five Lady Blazers were named to the pre-season All-GSC Team, the most out of any school. Last season's Player-of-the-Year Alex Acosta, Co-Pitcher-of-the-year Brianna Collis, and 2007 All-GSC First Team members Kristina Ely, Kristen Lindsey and Robin Williams. Andi Braswell, Stephanie Owen and Kristie Cornell were among the 14 top newcomers in the East Division. The 2008 NFCA National Pre-Season Rankings came out and VSU is ranked #15 in the nation. The Lady Blazers take on four of the top 25 teams this season, including #1 Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. Valdosta State softball kicks off their season on the road at the Nova/Barry Invite and play their first home game on Friday, February 8th against Thomas at 5pm and again at 7 pm.

Softball Games Canceled

2007-10-18

The double header scheduled against Thomas University for Friday, October 19 has been canceled.

Softball Named To All-Academic Team

2007-10-01

Starkville, MS. - The Valdosta State softball team was named the ninth best All-Academic Team in the country in the 2007 season, according to a release made by the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association on Friday afternoon. The Lady Blazers finished in the Top Ten teams who had a cummulative GPA of 3.471, the only team in the Gulf South Conference to make the Top Ten List. VSU had eight players on the team who had a 3.5 GPA or higher, including Alex Acosta, Becca Aszman, Amy Brightwell, Brianna Collis, Kristina Ely, Lindsey Lloyd, Audrey Massingill and Kylie Zweifel. Three other players recorded a 3.4 GPA.

Valdosta State Athletics Holds Blood Drive

2007-08-28

Valdosta, Ga. - The Valdosta State University athletic teams, highlighted by the women's softball team, sponsored a blood drive in conjunction with the American Red Cross on Monday afternoon on the mezzanine of the PE Complex. The drive allowed 296 pints of blood to be given, as each person that donated gave one pint of blood. "The team and I felt this would be a good way to help the American Red Cross and the Valdosta community", said Coach Thomas Macera. "It was a successful day." More than three-quarters of the softball team donated during the drive as did a number of Valdosta State students. The softball team also collected information and answered questions from each participant that was donating blood. "The Red Cross indicated that they were very pleased by the turn out and our help in the drive," concluded Macera. The blood drive is one of two sponsored drives by VSU athletic teams during the academic year. The Blazer football team also holds an annual blood drive in April of each year.

Softball Names Three To All-South Region Teams

2007-05-08

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.- Three Valdosta State University softball players were named to the Daktronics All-South Regional Softball Teams. Brianna Collis was named to the First Team while teammates Alex Acosta and Kristen Lindsey received Second Team recognition. Collis, a four-time All Gulf South Conference Pitcher-of-the-Week, owns a 1.09 ERA with a 20-1 overall record. Her one loss came in the GSC Tournament, falling 5-2 to Alabama-Huntsville. The sophomore hurler has ten shutouts on the year and has picked up five saves. The British Columbia native is also hitting .366 with 34 hits, five doubles and two homeruns, one of which came during the GSC Tournament. Collis had the highest hitting percentage at the GSC Tournament, being named to the GSC All-Tournament Team. Acosta, VSU's starting shortstop, owns a .372 batting average that includes 61 hits, 12 doubles three triples and 11 homeruns. The two-time GSC Player-of-the-Week was also named the GSC East Player of the Year. A two-time GSC Pitcher-of-the-Week, Lindsey (18-3) is second on the team with a 1.39 ERA. The junior hurler leads the team in strikeouts with 135 in 150.2 innings pitched. She has seven shutouts on the year with two saves. Lindsey was named VSU's Female Athlete of the Year and also received All-GSC First Team honors. VSU is ranked first in the South Region and will host the South Region Tournament which will take place from May 10-14. The Blazers take on Albany State on Thursday at 6:30 pm for the first round of play.

Softball Sweeps GSC Weekly Honors

2007-04-23

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Pitcher Brianna Collis and shortstop Alex Acosta, received the Gulf South Conference pitcher and player-of-the-week honors, helping Valdosta State to a 4-0 week, extending their record to 40-4 overall and 19-1 in conference play. Collis pitched her 10th shutout of the season, going 2-0 on the weekend with wins over West Alabama and West Georgia. She also picked up her 4th save, pitching 1.2 innings against UWA. The sophomore hurler leads the GSC in several categories including: individual pitching, strikeouts (63), ERA (0.0), opponent batting average (.158) and wins (10). Nationally, Collis is third in ERA, 51st in victories, seventh in saves and 77th in strikeouts. This is Collis' fourth time receiving this honor. Acosta batted .500 on the week with six hits, seven runs, two doubles and two homeruns. She is ranked first in the GSC in RBI's (32), eighth in batting average (.424) and second in slugging percentage (.898) and homeruns (7). The Hialeah, Fla. native is also ranked nationally: 62nd in homeruns, 23rd in RBI's and 59th in slugging percentage. Overall, the junior leads the team in batting average (.382), hits (52), doubles (11), RBI's (54), slugging percentage (.728) and is tied for first in homeruns (10). This is Acosta's second time receiving this honor. The Lady Blazers have clinched the GSC East Division title with a 19-1 conference mark with four games remaining in the season. VSU takes on Alabama-Huntsville and North Alabama this weekend.

Softball Sweeps West Georgia 10-3, 7-1

2007-04-22

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State softball team swept the University of West Georgia on Sunday afternoon in a Gulf South Conference double header at the softball complex. The Lady Blazers won the first game by a score of 10-3 and was one run away from their 18th shutout of the season, winning the second game 7-1. VSU (40-4, 19-1) wasted no time putting runs on the board in the first game, getting two runs in the first inning and three in the third. Amy Gaiss had a two-run shot to left field in the first inning while Alex Acosta picked up a three-run homerun in the third. West Georgia scored two runs in the fourth and one run in the fifth to put them down 5-3 but the Lady Blazers pulled away in the fifth scoring five runs with Gaiss driving in a run and Robin Williams homering to left center. Kristen Lindsey picked up her 16th win of the season, giving up eight hits and striking out three in 4.1 innings. Ashley Hill got the save in 2.2 innings. Audrey Massingill was two-for-three with two runs scored and an RBI. Gaiss was two-of-three with three RBI's while Telecia Ramsey was two-for-four with two hits. In game two, both teams were scoreless until the fifth inning when the Wolves took a 1-0 lead. VSU answered right back, scoring two runs in the same inning. The Lady Blazers had a big sixth inning, scoring five runs. Kristina Ely led off the inning with a double to right center. Brianna Collis picked up her first home run of the season while Acosta homered for the second time in as many games. Collis picked up her 16th win, giving up five hits and striking out five. Ramsey was three-for-four while Acosta was two-for-four with three RBI's. Gaiss and Ely both had two hits. The Lady Blazers travel to Alabama-Huntsville for a GSC double header at 1 pm. Game 1 Stats Game 2 Stats

VSU Roars Past West Alabama 6-4, 8-0

2007-04-21

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The #5 Valdosta State Lady Blazer softball team swept West Alabama in a Gulf South Conference double header match up on Saturday afternoon at the softball complex. VSU defeated the Tigers 6-4 in game one and blew out UWA 8-0 in the second game. Kristen Lindsey picked up her 15th win of the season in the first game, giving up six hits, four runs and six strikeouts in 5.1 innings while Brianna Collis pitched 1.2 innings in relief while striking out two. VSU (38-4, 17-1) went up 1-0 after the first inning when Telecia Ramsey walked and stole second and was driven in off an Amy Gaiss single to right field. Scoring two more runs in the fourth inning, VSU took a 3-0 lead. Kylie Zweifel pinch ran for Gaiss after she walked. Zweifel stole second and scored on a single to center by Robin Williams. Kristina Ely doubled down the third base line scoring Shannon Cleland who reached on a fielder's choice. VSU had the game under control in the fifth inning when they scored three more runs to go up 6-0. Audrey Massingill singled to third base followed by a double by Alex Acosta. Williams picked up her ninth homerun of the season, scoring the third run. West Alabama (24-30, 3-16) fought to stay alive in the sixth inning. Sheila Jordan led off the inning with a double to right field. Heather Shugart stepped up to bat and singled up the middle, scoring one run. Emily White followed with another single, advancing Shugart to third and White advanced to second on the throw. Corey Curlee stepped up and belted a three-run homer over VSU's fence. Collis came in to pitch for Lindsey, striking out the next two batters. The Lady Blazers did not allow another run to score. Williams was two-of-four from the plate with three RBI's while Acosta was one-for-three with a run scored. Proving why they are the #5 team in the nation, VSU held West Alabama scoreless in game two. Collis picked up her 15th win and 10th shutout of the season while the Lady Blazers defeated the Tigers 8-0. Scoring four runs in the first, VSU picked up a big lead early. Massingill singled followed by another single from Acosta. Gaiss singled to right field, advancing both runners while Williams drove in two runs with a single to second base. Tiffany Burks scored on a catching error by the third baseman and Ely scored Cleland who reached on a fielder's choice. VSU scored two more runs in the third inning and again in the fourth inning. UWA gave VSU a scare in the top of the fifth inning. Collis struck out the first batter and gave up a single to White. Jennifer Lillard reached first when Acosta bobbled the ball at shortstop, advancing White to second. With two on and one out, Lillard and White each advanced on a throwing error by the catcher, Williams. Collis struck out the next two batters swinging to end the game. Williams was three-for-three with three RBI's while Acosta was two-for-two with two runs scored and an RBI. As a team VSU was 11-for-20, a .550 batting average, giving them a .309 average on the season. Collis gave up only two hits while striking out six in five innings. The Lady Blazers take on West Georgia on Sunday afternoon for a Gulf South Conference double header match up at the softball complex at 1 pm. Game 1 Stats Game 2 Stats

Softball Wins First Two Games at GSC Crossover

2007-04-12

DECATUR, Ala. - Despite the cold weather, the #5 Valdosta State softball team defeated Arkansas Tech 8-0 in their first game at the Gulf South Conference Crossover in Decatur, Ala. Brianna Collis picked up her 13th win and ninth shutout of the season. Putting a run on the board early, Ramsey led off the game with a single to third base and stole second. Audrey Massingill advanced Ramsey to third on a sac hit and was driven in on an error by the center fielder. In the third inning, Collis led off with a single to right field. Kylie Zweifel pinch ran and stole second. Ramsey singled to third base and Massingill reached second on a throwing error by the second baseman, scoring both runners. The Lady Blazers (34-3, 13-0) grabbed four runs in the fourth. Robin Williams led off with a single to left followed by a Kristina Ely single to center field. Mackenzie Heban advanced the runners with a sac bunt to third base while Collis singled to left field, scoring one run. Collis stole second and Ramsey stepped up the plate and drove in a run off a single to left. Massingill had a sac bunt to the pitcher, scoring another run while Alex Acosta singled in the last run of the inning. Leading 7-0 going into the fifth inning, the Lady Blazers grabbed the one run that would end the game after five innings of play. Amy Gaiss led off with a double to left field. Williams and Ely both singled to drive in the run. Collis earned her ninth shutout of the year, giving up only five hits and no walks while striking out seven. Ramsey was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI while Ely had two hits in three at-bats. The Lady Blazers combined for 12 hits in 24 at-bats. The Lady Blazers defeated Henderson State in their second game of the day, pulling out a 7-3 win over the Lady Reddies. Both teams were scoreless for the first two innings until HSU took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third off a Tori Gast homerun. VSU answered in the next inning with four runs and scored another two in the fifth inning. HSU earned two runs themselves in the fifth, giving the Lady Blazers a short scare as they went into the seventh inning up 6-3. Scoring one final run in the top of the seventh, Henderson State could not come up with any runs as Collis struck out the last three batters. THe Lady Blazers take on Delta State and Arkansas-Monticello today at 4 pm and 5 pm.

Collis Earns Third Pitcher-of-the-Week Honors

2007-04-11

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Brianna Collis' four-hit shutout against West Florida last week earned her Gulf South Conference Pitcher-of-the-Week honors. This is the third time that Collis has received this acknowledgement while it's VSU's fourth consecutive and fifth overall time accomplishing this feat. In five innings, the British Columbia, Canada native allowed only four hits against the Argos of West Florida. Collis struck out six of the 19 batters she faced. Collis leads VSU with a 0.63 ERA and is 12-0 on the season. In the 13 games she has started, she has eight shut outs. In the GSC, Collis is ranked first in several categories: shutouts (5), opponent batting average (.133) and is second in wins (6-0). VSU leads the conference team pitching with a 0.53 ERA while Collis has a 0.00 ERA. Collis is a force at the plate as well as in the mound. She is batting .308 on the season and has a .400 on base percentage. The Lady Blazers travel to Decatur, Ala. to compete in the always competitive GSC Crossover Tournament. VSU goes into the tournament 33-3 overall and 12-0 in conference play. VSU hopes to expand on their 19-game winning streak, taking on Arkansas Tech on Thursday, April 12 at 5 pm and Henderson State at 9 pm.

#5 VSU Blazers By West Florida 3-2, 10-0

2007-04-06

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The #5 Valdosta State Lady Blazers swept West Florida 3-2, 10-0 on Friday night in a double header Gulf South Conference match-up at the Softball Complex. Brianna Collis picked up her 8th shutout of the season while VSU extended their winning streak to 19. Last week's GSC Pitcher-of-the-Week, Kristen Lindsey picked up her 14th win of the season while giving up four hits and one walk while striking out five batters in the first game. Both teams remained scoreless until the third inning when VSU (33-3, 12-0) knocked in two runs off a single to right field by Collis followed by a sac bunt from Telecia Ramsey. Alex Acosta and Robin Williams followed with doubles, each scoring a run. West Florida (23-30, 3-7) made it close by scoring a run in the top of the fourth off a home run by Nicky VanCamp. The Lady Blazers went up by two in the fifth inning when Ramsey walked and Williams doubled to left field, scoring Ramsey. The Argos almost came back in the sixth inning. Ashlee Simpson led off with a walk and advanced to second off a foul ball to left field. Taren Walton doubled down the left field line, scoring Simpson. Lindsey forced two pop-ups to end the inning and UWF could not score in the seventh. Williams was 2-for-2 with two RBI's while Acosta was 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Walton picked up the loss for UWF giving up five hits, three walks and striking out two in six innings. Valdosta State proved why they are the #5 team in the nation in the second game, pulling out their fifteenth shutout of the year and 19th consecutive win, a new school record. Picking up a hit in the first two innings, the Lady Blazers did not put a run on the board until the third inning. Collis led off with a single to right center. Kylie Zweifel pinch ran, stole second and advanced to third off a bunt-single by Ramsey. A bunt by Audrey Massingill scored Zweifel on an error by the catcher. With no outs, Acosta scored Ramsey on a sac bunt. Amy Gaiss scored another run, reaching on a fielding error by the short stop. VSU was not done scoring, as they picked up seven runs in the fourth inning. Kristina Ely led off with a single to third base and advanced to second on a sac bunt by Mackenzie Heban. Tiffany Burks pinch ran for Ely and advanced to third off a single by Collis. Ramsey singled to left field, scoring Burks and Massingill followed with a bunt single to third base. With the bases loaded, Alex Acosta hit a grand slam to right center. Not feeling any mercy, Williams singled up the middle and Kelsey Case pinch ran. Gaiss stepped up to the plate and belted a two-shot homerun, her fifth of the season. Cleland and Heban would also single in the inning. West Florida picked up two hits in the fifth inning, but the damage was done. Emily Burge received the loss for the Argos, giving up 13 hits while striking out one. VSU travels to the GSC Crossover Tournament in Decatur, Ala. this week. The Lady Blazers will take on Arkansas Tech at 5 pm and Henderson State at 9 pm on Thursday, April 12.

LADY BLAZERS SWEEP GSC WEEKLY HONORS

2007-04-04

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State University softball team swept the Gulf South Conference weekly honors with junior hurler Kristen Lindsey earning GSC East Division Pitcher-of-the-Week recognition and shortstop Alex Acosta receiving Player-of-the-Week accolades. This is VSU's third consecutive week receiving Pitcher-of-the-Week. Lindsey pitched three complete games last week, all three resulting in a shutout. Against St. Leo, the junior gave up only two hits and one walk while striking out 11 batters in a 1-0 VSU victory. Against North Alabama, she gave up one hit and struck out three in a 1-0 conference win against the third place Lions. Against rival Alabama-Huntsville, she pitched a 2-0 win while striking out five and allowed six hits. Lindsey also pitched three innings in relief against UAH, allowing one hit while striking out one batter. Ranked second in the GSC, Lindsey owns a 0.66 ERA and has helped VSU to a first place ranking in the GSC in team pitching with a 0.85 ERA. The Valdosta native has six shut outs on the season and maintains a 13-1 overall mark. Junior shortstop, Alex Acosta, was seven-for-21 from the plate last week, a .333 batting average. Acosta, who has started every game for the Lady Blazers, leads Valdosta State in batting average (.368), doubles (eight) and triples (three). Acosta hit three of her six homeruns last week and also tallied two doubles and eight hits with 11 RBI's. The Hialeah, Fla. native grabbed a hit in seven out of eight games last week. Acosta is fourth in the GSC with 36 RBI's. The Lady Blazers are currently #5 in the NAFC Top 25 and have broken a school record with 17 consecutive wins, which was originally set in 1996. They lead the GSC with a 31-3 record and are 10-0 in conference play. VSU continues conference play this Friday, April 6, when they take on West Florida for a 4 p.m. double header at the Softball Complex.

#5 VSU Charges Past #13 Alabama-Huntsville

2007-04-01

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Breaking a new school record with 17 consecutive wins, the #5 Valdosta State University softball team swept #13 Alabama-Huntsville on Sunday afternoon in a Gulf South Conference double header, 2-0 and 11-2. Kristen Lindsey had a scare in the first inning when the Chargers (31-12, 4-6) had bases loaded with no outs. Simpson flied out to center field while Lindsey struck out the next two batters. VSU (31-3, 10-0) wasted no time putting a run on the board. Telecia Ramsey led off the inning with a walk and stole second. Chantrele Edwards advanced Ramsey to third on a sac bunt followed by a squeeze bunt from Alex Acosta, scoring Ramsey. UAH threatened the Lady Blazer lead in the second inning. With runners in scoring position and one out, Lindsey forced a line out to left field and a grounder to third base. Neither team scored for the next two innings until VSU put a run on the board in the fifth, giving them a 2-0 victory. Lindsey (13-1) picked up the win, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out five. This is Lindsey's 13th straight win and sixth shutout of the season. Sage Woodham (14-4) received the loss for the Chargers, giving up four hits and two walks with six strikeouts. Huntsville scored first in the second game, scoring two runs in the first inning. Weatherly reached on a throwing error by Acosta followed by a single to center field from Hess, scoring one run and Parker singled scoring the second run. The Lady Blazers answered back with a walk and a steal by Ramsey. Massingill advanced the runner with a sac bunt while Acosta scored Ramsey with a sac bunt. VSU scored another run in the second inning with a double to left center from Amy Gaiss. Zweifel pinch ran and stole third base while Shannon Cleland had a sac fly to center, scoring a run. Earning two runs in the third, VSU took a 4-2 that started with a walk from Massingill followed by a homerun by Acosta, her sixth of the season. Valdosta State proved why they are the #5 team in the nation in the sixth inning. Gaiss singled to left center while Ely singled to left. Ashley Mayhue stepped up to the plate, hitting her first homerun of the year. Kelsey Case entered the game for Ramsey and doubled to left center. Massingill doubled to right field, scoring Case while Acosta hit a double to right center scoring Massingill. Williams ended the game with a homer to center field, scoring the seventh run of the inning and giving the Lady Blazers an 11-2 victory. The win marked VSU's 17th consecutive win, breaking a school record that was set back in 1996. Brianna Collis picked up her 11th win, giving up four hits and striking out two in three innings. Lindsey came in to finish the game, giving up one hit and striking out one in three innings. The lady Blazers were 13-of-25 from the plate with only three strikeouts. Courtney Hudson (3-2) picked up the loss for the Chargers, allowing 13 hits and two walks with three strike outs. VSU continues conference play on Friday, April 6 with a double header against West Florida starting at 4 p.m.

#5 Lady Blazers Cruise By North Alabama 1-0, 3-0

2007-03-31

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The #5 Valdosta State Lady Blazers cruised by North Alabama in a Gulf South Conference double header sweep on Saturday afternoon at the Softball Complex. VSU picked up a 1-0 win in game one and a 3-0 win in the second game, giving them 11 shutouts in their last 15 games. Valdosta State (29-3, 8-0) scored the only run of the game in the second inning when Robin Williams led off with a single up the middle. Kylie Zweifel pinch ran and stole second base. Amy Gaiss advanced Zweifel to third on a sac bunt followed by a sac fly by Shannon Cleland, scoring Zweifel. Kristen Lindsey picked up the win for the Lady Blazers, her twelfth win of the year and fifth shutout. The junior only allowed one hit while walking two and striking out eight. Lindsey owns a 0.73 ERA and has only allowed three runs in her last three appearances. Glienke received the loss for North Alabama (24-12, 5-3), giving up only two hits and striking out three. UNA held the Lady Blazers scoreless for the first two innings of the second game before the VSU bats came alive in the third. With two outs, Telecia Ramsey stepped up to the plate, singling to left field and stole second base. Zweifel singled to the shortstop, advancing Ramsey to third. Alex Acosta picked up her seventh double of the season, scoring both runners. Valdosta State scored another run in the very next inning off a Kristina Ely homerun, her third of the year. The Lady Blazers held UNA scoreless for all seven innings, only allowing three runners to reach base. Brianna Collis picked up another shutout, her seventh of the year and is second in the GSC in shutouts. The sophomore hurler allowed only one hit and one walk while striking out five. Ely was two-for-three at the plate while Acosta had two hits with two RBI's. Roberts received the loss for the Lions, giving up four hits and striking out one. The Lady Blazers extend their record to 29-3 and 8-0 in the GSC, good enough for first place. VSU has won 24 out of their last 25 games and is batting .290 as a team with a GSC leading 0.96 ERA. VSU continues conference play, taking on rival Alabama-Huntsville for a 12 pm double header at the Softball Complex.

COLLIS EARNS GSC PITCHER-OF-THE-WEEK HONORS

2007-03-28

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Sophomore Brianna Collis earns Gulf South Conference Pitcher-Of-The-Week honors for the second week in a row. The British Columbia, Canada native was a perfect 3-0 on the week with a no-hitter against West Alabama. In the second game of a double-header against West Florida, Collis gave up only one hit and two walks while striking out nine in an 8-0 victory over the Argos. Against West Georgia, the hurler pitched seven innings and gave up six hits while allowing one walk and struck out four. In her no-hitter against UWA, she only allowed one walk and struck out three in five innings in an 8-0 vsu victory. Collis also hit .300 at the plate, grabbing a hit against West Georgia and two hits versus West Florida. Collis has already tallied five shutouts on the season with an 8-0 overall mark. She owns a 0.88 ERA and has a .321 batting average. The #13 Lady Blazers are 25-3 overall and are first in the GSC East with a 6-0 record.

SOFTBALL SWEEPS SAINT LEO 1-0, 4-0

2007-03-28

SAINT LEO, Fla. - Fifth-ranked Valdosta State recorded a pair of shutouts as the Blazers swept Saint Leo in a doubleheader at University Field Wednesday evening. VSU won 1-0 in the first game before claiming a 4-0 victory in the second game. The two shutouts raised the Blazers' total for the year to 11, including seven in VSU's last nine games. VSU (27-3) scored the lone run of the first game in the fifth inning. Chantrele Edwards opened the frame with a walk and moved to second on Rebecca Aszman's sacrifice bunt. Shannon Cleland's fielder's choice erased Edwards, but Cleland came around to score when Telicia Ramsey's reached on a throwing error by Lion second baseman Valerie Kessel. Kristen Lindsey (11-1) pitched a complete game for Valdosta State, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out 11 in the game. Ramsey, Amy Gaiss and Kristina Ely all collected hits for VSU in the game. Saint Leo starter Ashley Urbanik (15-7) allowed three hits and walked three while striking out 11 in seven innings of work. Valdosta State scored in the fourth, fifth and sixth in game two as Brianna Collis, the reigning back-to-back Gulf South Conference Pitcher-of-the-Week, surrendered four hits and two walks while striking out 10 to register her sixth shutout of the year while improving to 9-0. In the fourth inning, Tiffany Burks walked to open the frame and moved to second on Alex Acosta's sacrifice bunt. Robin Williams' followed with a double down the left field line to score Burks for the 1-0 lead. Ely hit her second home run of the season in the fifth to up the VSU lead to 2-0 before Acosta upped the Blazer lead to 4-0 in the sixth with her fifth homer of the year. Ramsey reached on a fielding error by SLU second baseman Heather Stroud to open the inning and, two batters later, scored as Acosta hit a round-tripper over the centerfield fence. Acosta, Williams, Cleland, Ely and Edwards all collected hits in the game for Valdosta State. Lion Kiki VonHolt gave up five hits and one walk while striking out five in seven innings to fall to 8-7 on the year. Hayley Mallory and April Slate registered two hits each for Saint Leo. Valdosta State returns to action Saturday, March 31 when the Blazers continue Gulf South Conference play by hosting North Alabama in a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. The VSU Athletic Department will hold the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new softball fieldhouse prior to Saturday's games, with the ceremony beginning at 11:00 a.m.

SOFTBALL SWEEPS GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN 14-4, 13-0

2007-03-26

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The #13 Valdosta State University softball team scored their most runs in a game against Georgia Southwestern on Monday night at the softball complex. The Lady Blazers defeated the Hurricanes 14-4 in the first game and won 13-0 in game two, their ninth shutout of the season. Brianna Collis picked up her eighth win of the year, allowing five hits and no walks while striking out three in five innings. The Lady Blazers (25-3, 6-0) put two runs on the board in the first inning when Shannon Cleland reached on an error by the second baseman and advanced to second on a sac bunt from Telecia Ramsey. Robin Williams stepped up to the plate, grabbing her seventh homerun of the season. In the second inning, Tiffany Burks led off with a double down the left field line followed by a double from Collis, earning an RBI. Georgia Southwestern (8-26) came alive in the third inning with a Pratt single to left field followed by an Oglesby single to the pitcher. Reneau tripled to left field, scoring two runs and Long homered to left field scoring two more runs. VSU did not trail for very long, tying the game up in the fourth inning with an Amy Gaiss single to right center. Audrey Massingill pinch ran for Gaiss, scoring later in the inning on a passed ball. The Lady Blazers put on a hitting display in the fifth inning. Chantrele Edwards led off with a walk and stole second followed by another walk by Cleland. Ramsey singled and Alex Acosta stepped up to the plate, hitting a grand slam. VSU's run was not over when Williams reached on a throwing error by the third baseman. Collis walked and Ely reached first on a fielder's choice, leaving all runners safe. Edwards singled up the middle, driving in two runs while Cleland doubled to left center, scoring another run. Ramsey hit her first homerun of the year, scoring three RBI's. The game was called after five innings. VSU had nine hits in 25 at bats with 13 RBI's, scoring the most runs they have scored all season. Milsted received the loss for the Hurricanes, giving up six hits and two walks while striking out four. The Lady Blazers were first to score in game two, starting with a Ramsey single down the left field line. Ramsey stole second and Acosta singled to right field. Williams's sac fly scored one run while Gaiss hit her fourth homer of the year, scoring two more runs. Putting five more runs on the board in the second inning, VSU took an 8-0 lead after two innings. Massingill led off the second with a single up the middle followed by a Kelsey Case single through the left side. Ashley Mayhue's grounder to the short stop scored Massingill while Cleland's single through the right side scored Case. Ramsey walked and Williams doubled to left field, scoring one run. Gaiss followed with another double scoring two runs. VSU was not done there, scoring another five runs in the fourth inning. Cleland had another single through the left side and Ramsey reached first when she was hit by a pitch. Acosta walked and Mackenzie Heban received an RBI with a sac fly to right field. Massingill received her first homerun of the season, a grand slam, to left center. Ashley Mayhue picked up her second win of the season striking out six with only one walk. Valdosta State had 10 hits in 20 at bats with three walks and no strike outs. Howett received the loss for the Hurricanes, giving up eight hits and one walk. The Lady Blazers play again on Wednesday, traveling to St. Leo for a 5 pm double header.

VSU Hands West Alabama Two Shutouts 6-0, 8-0

2007-03-25

LIVINGSTON, Ala. - Coming into the game batting .340, West Alabama was held scoreless and only tallied one hit as the #13 Valdosta State Lady Blazers handed UWA a 6-0, 8-0 sweep on Sunday afternoon. Kristen Lindsey picked up her third shut out while Brianna Collis picked up her fifth. Both teams remained scoreless going into the fifth inning of game one until VSU (23-3, 6-0) broke out six runs. Leading off the inning was Telecia Ramsey who reached on a bunt single but was out after Alex Acosta reached on a fielder's choice. Robin Williams singled up the middle and Amy Gaiss singled to the shortstop, loading the bases. Kristina Ely doubled to left center, scoring two runs followed by a Trele Edwards walk. Becca Aszman doubled to left center, scoring two more runs. Collis reached first on an error by the shortstop, scoring a run and Ramsey scored the sixth run off a single through the left side. West Alabama (21-20, 1-7) had their only hit in the bottom of the seventh inning. Lindsey allowed only one walk with two strikeouts in seven innings. Ramsey was three-for-three on the afternoon while Gaiss was one-for-three. Samantha White received the loss for the Tigers, giving up eight hits, five walks and seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings of play. The Lady Blazers broke out the bats early in the second game, scoring a run in the third inning. Tiffany Burks singled to center field and advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored off a single by Acosta. Having another six-run inning, VSU took a 7-0 lead after the fourth inning. Gaiss led off with a walk. Edwards singled to second base and Kelsey Case doubled down the left field line, scoring two runs. Burks had an RBI off a double to left field followed by a Ramsey single and a Williams double, scoring four more runs. VSU picked up another run in the fifth off a single to second by Shannon Cleland followed by a sac bunt by Kylie Zweifel. Case added another double to her hit-list with a scorcher down the right field line, scoring Cleland. The eight-after-five ruled was called. Collis tallied her fifth shutout of the season, allowing no hits and only giving up one walk while striking out three batters. Aubree Hudson got the loss for UWA, giving up eight hits and striking out three in 3.2 innings. The Lady Blazers were 10-of-27 from the batters box and only had four strikeouts. VSU takes on Georgia Southwestern on Monday, March 26 for a 5 pm doubleheader at the softball complex.

#13 VSU Shuts Down West Georgia 6-1, 7-0

2007-03-24

CARROLLTON, Ga. - The #13 Valdosta State University softball team swept West Georgia on Saturday afternoon in a double header conference match-up, picking up their sixth shutout of the season. The Lady Blazers defeated the Wolves 6-1 and 7-0. Kristen Lindsey picked up her ninth win of the year, giving up four hits and two walks while striking out three in the first game. VSU (21-3, 4-0) put two runs on the board in the first inning with Brianna Collis leading off and singling to center field. Robin Williams stepped up the plate, dropping a bomb to right center, her fifth homerun of the season. Williams homered again in the third inning, giving VSU a 3-0 lead heading into the fourth inning. Becca Aszman singled up the middle in the fifth inning followed by a sac bunt by Collis, advancing Kylie Zweifel, a pinch runner, to second. Peaches Ramsey singled to left field followed by a sac fly to right field by Alex Acosta, scoring Zweifel. The Lady Blazers picked up two more runs in the sixth, starting off with Kristina Ely singling to right field followed by a sac bunt by Trele Edwards, advancing Ely to second. Aszman picked up her first home run of the year, homering to center field. West Georgia (18-20, 2-4) picked up their only run in the sixth inning. Mary Carlisle started off the inning with a walk and Kim Weaver followed by reaching on a fielding error by VSU. Adrienne Clay doubled to left center; scoring UWG's last and only run of the game. Williams was two-for-three with three RBI's and two runs scored and Aszman was two-for-three with two RBI's. VSU was nine-of-28 at the plate with three walks and four strikeouts. Chelsea Albertson received the loss for the Wolves, giving up nine hits, three walks while striking out one in 5.2 innings. Collis received the win in game two, picking up her fourth shutout of the season. The sophomore gave up six hits and one walk while striking out four in seven innings. The Lady Blazers scored five runs in the first inning alone starting off with Collis singling through the left side. Ramsey walked followed by an Acosta homerun to left field, her third of the season. Amy Gaiss picked up a single and advanced to second on an error by the left fielder. Ely singled to left field, scoring a run and a double by Edwards scored the fifth run. VSU was not done there, scoring again in the sixth. Edwards picked up another hit, singling through the left side and reached second after Collis reached first on an error by the short stop. Edwards reached third on a wild pitch and was driven home by an Acosta single through the right side. Scoring again in the seventh, Gaiss scored off a Tiffany Burks sac fly. Acosta was two-for-four with four RBI's and a run scored while Ely was three-for-four with an RBI and one run scored. VSU was 11-of-33 at the plate, while gathering five walks and seven strikeouts. Kate Thompson received the loss for the Wolves, giving up 11 hits and five walks while striking out seven in seven innings of play. VSU continues conference play on the road, taking on West Alabama on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. for a double header in Livingston, Ala. The Lady Blazers return home on Monday, March 26 taking on Georgia Southwestern in a non-conference double header beginning at 5 pm.

Lady Blazers Sweep West Florida 5-3, 8-0

2007-03-20

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The #8 Valdosta State softball team opened up Gulf South Conference action against West Florida on Monday night, sweeping the Argos 5-3 and 8-0. GSC Pitcher-of-the-Week, Brianna Collis, picked up her third shutout of the season. VSU (19-3, 2-0) shut out UWF (18-13, 0-2) in game two, allowing only one hit. The Lady Blazers were first to score in the second inning with a Robin Williams single followed by an Amy Gaiss double, putting runners on second and third. Shannon Cleland was intentionally walked, loading the bases for Ashley Mayhue, who also walked, scoring the first run of the game. Kristina Ely stepped up to bat, reaching on a fielding error by the left fielder, scoring the second run. Picking up another run in the fifth, VSU put five runs on the board in the seventh. Alex Acosta led off with a home run to center field followed by a Williams walk. Gaiss singled to right center and Cleland singled to left field. With bases loaded, Ely had a sac fly to left field, scoring Williams. Chantrele Edwards tripled to center field and scored on a throwing error by the center fielder, scoring the fifth run. This was VSU's fifth shutout of the year. Collis (5-0) picked up the win, giving up only one hit with two walks while striking out nine. Emily Burge received the loss, giving up eight hits, five walks and struck out nine in 6.2 innings. Valdosta State was first to score in game one off a homerun to left field by Cleland. West Florida took the lead in the bottom of the third off a Nicky Vancamp two-run homerun. The Lady Blazers answered right back with two runs of their own in the fourth. Reaching on a fielding error, Gaiss advanced to first, followed by a bunt single by Cleland. Tiffany Burks advanced the runners on a sac bunt while Ely stepped up to the plate and doubled to right center, scoring both runs. The Argos tied the game in the bottom of the fourth starting with a single by Ellen Marsh and a walk by Taren Walton. Runners on first and second, Julie Carroll singled to left field, scoring a run. VSU picked up one run in the fifth and another in the seventh off a triple by Acosta to center field who scored off a Gaiss single to right field. Kristen Lindsey (8-1) picked up her eighth win, allowing six hits, two walks while striking out six. Burge received the loss, giving up 10 hits, four walks and struck out eight. The Lady Blazers return to action on Saturday, March 24, in a double header against West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga. starting at 1 pm.

Softball Sweeps BYU-Hawai'i 10-0, 9-1

2007-03-11

LAIE, Hawai'i. - The #9 Valdosta State softball team swept Brigham Young Hawai'i in a double header on Tuesday afternoon, shutting out the Seasiders 10-0 in the first game and winning 9-1 in game two. Pitching the first game, Kristen Lindsey picked up her second shut out of the season for VSU (17-3). The Lady Blazers put a run on the board in the first inning when Alex Acosta doubled to right center and Amy Gaiss followed with a single, scoring Acosta. In the third inning, Brianna Collis led off with a walk followed by a sacrifice bunt from Trele Edwards. Gaiss reached base on a fielding error by the third baseman and Shannon Cleland singled through the left side, scoring Collis. Robin Williams stepped up to the plate and reached first on a fielder's choice, leaving all the runners safe. With bases loaded, Kristina Ely walked, scoring Gaiss. The VSU offense did not stop there, with Telecia Ramsey singling up the middle, scoring two runs. Valdosta State had another four-run inning in the top of the seventh starting off with an Acosta single through the right side followed by a walk from Gaiss. Cleland picked up three RBI's, homering to left center, her fourth of the season. Williams also picked up her fourth homerun of the season, giving VSU back-to-back homeruns and a 10-0 victory over BYU-Hawai'i (7-9). Lindsey allowed only one hit in the game with three walks and four strike outs. Collis went three-for-four with a run scored and an RBI while Acosta was two-for-four with two runs. Cleland had three hits in four at-bats with four RBI's. Ramsey also had three hits and Williams had two hits. VSU was 14-for-33 on the game, a .424 batting average with only three strike outs. Crystal De La Cruz received the loss for the Seasiders, giving up 14 hits, three walks and three strike outs in seven innings. Rachelle Wade was the only player to get a hit. The Lady Blazer bats did not stop in the second game, scoring two runs in the first inning. Collis led off again, singling to second base followed by a bunt single to third base from Ramsey. Acosta picked up her sixth double of the season, scoring both runners. BYU-Hawai'i scored their first run against VSU in the fourth inning. Holly Bjork doubled to right center followed by a single through the left side from Agesha Lightsy, picking up an RBI. VSU scored a run in the fifth and led 3-1 going into the sixth inning. Picking up some insurance runs, the Lady Blazers scored five runs off a single up the middle from Ashley Mayhue followed by a sac bunt from Edwards. Kelsey Case reached base on an error while Collis doubled to left center, scoring one run. Another double from Ramsey scored two more RBI's followed by a walk and a hit by pitch. VSU then scored a run off a throwing error by the short stop and Cleland drove in the fifth run off a fly out to center field. Picking up one more run in the seventh, VSU defeated the Seasiders 9-1. Collis picked up her fourth win, giving up four hits, one walk and three strike outs. As a team, VSU collected 10 hits in 32 at bats, a .313 batting average. Ramsey was three for five with three runs and two RBI's while Mayhue went two-of-three. Austin Long received the loss for Brigham Young, giving up 10 hits, two walks and striking out four. Bjork was one-for-three with the only run scored. Valdosta State takes on Chaminade, Wednesday afternoon, in a 3 pm double header. The Lady Blazers return home on March 26 in a double header against Georgia Southwestern at 5 p.m.

Softball Wins Ninth Straight

2007-03-05

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State softball team handed Florida Tech two losses in a double-header sweep on Monday night at the softball complex. The Lady Blazers defeated the Panthers 5-1 and 4-1, winning nine straight games. The Lady Blazers (14-2) have not lost a game since February10, falling to Tampa 2-1 and were not about to start on Monday night. VSU was the first to score in game one off a Robin Williams homerun to center field in the second inning. Rebecca Aszman walked to lead off the third inning followed by a single to third base by Telecia Ramsey. Alex Acosta drove in two runs off a triple to right field. Amy Gaiss singled to drive in Acosta, putting the Lady Blazers up 5-0. Florida Tech (16-13) was able to put one run on the board in the fourth inning off a single by Lugo and Chisena followed by a another single by Wiegand. But the Lady Blazer defense did not give up another run, defeating the Panthers 5-1. Kristen Lindsey picked up her sixth win, giving up nine hits and striking out six in seven innings. Williams was two-for-two with a walk while Acosta was one-for-three with a run scored and two RBI's. Ramsey was one-for-two with a run scored and a walk. West picked up the loss for Florida Tech with five hits, four walks and two strikeouts. Naumoff was two-for-four and Chisena was two-of-three. Brianna Collis took to the mound in game two, looking for her second win of the season. The Lady Blazers let this game get down to the wire, going into the sixth inning, tied 1-1. With one out, Gaiss singled through the left side and was followed by a single to left field by Shannon Cleland who had homered in the fourth inning. Williams stepped up to the plate and belted a three-run home run over left field, her second of the day, to give VSU a 4-1 victory. Collis picked up the win, giving up three hits and striking out four in seven innings. Cleland was three-for-three with two runs scored while Williams was two-of-three. Husband received the loss for FIT, giving up eight hits and striking out one in six innings. Stanley was two-for-three. The Lady Blazers travel to Hawaii and will take on Hawaii Pacific on March 11 at 12 p.m.

Blazers Sweep Lander

2007-03-04

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State softball team swept Lander University on Sunday night in a double-header held at the Softball Complex with Kristen Lindsey pitching a 6-1 victory in the first game while Ashley Hill pitched a 7-3 win to extend the Blazers winning column to twelve games. VSU (12-2) wasted no time scoring in the first game, scoring three runs in the first inning. Brianna Collis led off with a single to left field and then stole second. Telecia Ramsey walked followed by an Alex Acosta triple that scored both the runners and then scored off a sacrifice bunt by Kristina Ely. The Blazers scored another run in the fourth inning with a single up the middle by catcher Becca Aszman who stole second and advanced to third on a sac bunt by Collis. Short stop, Acosta, singled through the right side to score Aszman. Lander (9-15) put a run on the board off a home run by Daisy Stewart in the fifth inning but would not score again for the rest of the game. The Blazers answered right back, putting two more runs on the board in the fifth inning. Shannon Cleland started off the inning with a walk and was driven in off a Chantrele Edwards homer to left center. Lindsey picked up her fifth win of the season, striking out 14 out of 24 batters and giving up four hits in seven innings. Acosta was two-of-four with three RBI's while Collis was one-for-two with a run scored. Ashlea Burdette received the loss for Lander, giving up seven hits and striking out four in six innings. Natalie Smith was one-for-three while Stewart was two-for-three with the only run scored. The Bearcats were the first to score in the second game with another home run on the evening by Stewart to lead off the second inning. Valdosta State came back with four runs in the second. Edwards reached first on a throwing error by the pitcher that went all the way back to the right field corner which allowed Edwards to score. Collis singled to center field and advanced to second after Ramsey was walked. Acosta was hit by a pitch and Amy Gaiss singled up the middle, scoring two runs. Robin Williams walked and Cleland singled up the middle, scoring another run. The Bearcats scored a run in the third inning after Corrie Bessinger walked and Burdette was hit by a pitch and then Stewart drove in a run off a bunt single. VSU earned some insurance runs in the fourth inning, walking the first two batters and then were driven off by a Gaiss homerun, her third of the season. Lander would score another run in the fifth inning off a homerun by Smith, but it wasn't enough as the Blazers swept the Bearcats, extending their record to 12-2 on the season. Hill received her fifth win of the season, while striking out seven batters and giving up six hits in seven innings. Gaiss was two-for-two with five RBI's while Collis was one-for-two with two runs scored. Austin Murray received the loss for Lander, giving up five hits, walking 12 and striking out four in six innings. The Lady Blazers take on Florida Tech on Monday evening, for a double-header that begins at 5 p.m. at the Softball Complex.

Softball Fieldhouse Dedication and Alumni Game

2007-03-01

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State Lady Blazer Softball Fieldhouse dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on March 31, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. Valdosta State fans and alumni are welcome to join the Valdosta State Lady Blazers in the grand opening of the new extension of the field house which includes home and visitor locker areas, a small training area, rooms for umpires, several offices and a general purpose area for student-athletes. After the walk-through, all are welcome to cook-out with the Lady Blazers before their double-header against North Alabama that starts at 1 p.m. The Alumni will take on the Alumni immediately following the double-header. For more information, contact Amy Fenolia (alhousem@valdosta.edu) or Traci Newton (tlnewton@valdosta.edu) in the VSU Department of Athletics or by calling 229.293.6069.

Blazers Win Two At Barry/Nova Invite on Saturday

2007-02-17

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Valdosta State softball team won both of their games on Saturday afternoon to remaining perfect in the Barry/Nova Invite. Sunday's games, scheduled to be played at Barry, were rained out. The Blazers (10-2) pounded Florida Tech 12-4 in the first game on Saturday. Florida Tech (5-9) opened the scoring with single runs in the first and second before Valdosta State exploded in the third for 10 runs.Shannon Cleland doubled to open the inning, but was erased on Telicia Ramsey's fielder's choice. Chantrele Edwards reached on an error that moved Ramsey to third before Rebecca Aszman singled to plate Ramsey. Alex Acosta followed with a single to score Edwards before Amy Gaiss' single brought home Aszman. Robin Williams tallied VSU's fourth straight hit of the inning to drive in Acosta and, after Kristina Ely was intentionally walked to load the bases, Ashley Mayhue walked to force in Gaiss. Cleland then singled to right to score Williams while a wild pitch plated Ely before Ramsey singled. An error on an Edwards ground ball allowed Mayhue and Cleland to score while Aszman's ground out plated Ramsey for the final run of the inning and a 10-2 VSU lead. Florida Tech responded with two runs in the top of the fourth, but VSU plated single runs in the bottom of the inning and in the fifth to close out the scoring. In the day's second game, Valdosta State defeated Nova Southeastern 3-1. The Blazers never trailed as the scored two runs in the top of the fourth. With one out, Williams doubled, before being lifted for pinch runner Kelsey Case. Gaiss' triple scored Case and allowed Gaiss to score when Cleland singled to left. The Blazers added another run in the top of the fifth as Ramsey singled and stole second before scoring on Edwards' triple to left. The Sharks answered with a single run in the bottom of the inning to close out the scoring. Gaiss finished the day with six hits in eight at-bats while also scoring three runs and driving in four. Cleland tallied four hits in six at-bats in the two games while Acosta was three-of-eight on the day. Valdosta State returns to action on Sunday, March 4 when it hosts Lander in a doubleheader at the P.E. Complex beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Lady Blazers Split at Tampa

2007-02-10

TAMPA, Fla. - The Valdosta State softball team split a doubleheader at the University of Tampa, losing the first game in the bottom of the seventh, 2-1, before stomping over the Lady Spartans 6-1 in game two. The Lady Blazers (6-2) were first to score in the second inning after freshman Tiffany Burks singled to left field and was driven home off a triple to right field by Kristina Ely. This would be the only run the Lady Blazers would score. Tampa (1-5) rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Rachel Browning reached on a VSU error and was driven in on a single by Jessica Tejas. The Lady Spartans scored the winning run off a double to center field by Michele Horan. Alex Acosta was two-for-four while Burks was one-for-three with a run scored. Ely had two hits and had the only RBI for the Lady Blazers. Kristen Lindsey received the loss, pitching 6.2 innings, giving up four hits and three walks. Tejas was one-for-three with a run scored while Horan had two RBI's and one hit. Devlin Dougherty received the win for the Spartans, giving up five hits and one run in seven innings. The Lady Blazers came out swinging in game two, scoring three runs in the top of the third inning with a home run to right center by Ely. Catcher Becca Aszman singled to left field and was pinch-ran for by Kylie Zweifel who stole second base and scored after Telecia Ramsey reached on an error by the first baseman. Chantrele Edwards singled off a bunt and advanced Ramsey to third. After a wild pitch, Ramsey scored and gave the Lady Blazers a three-run inning. The Lady Spartans attempted a rally in the sixth inning, after a walk by Kelly Glover who advanced to second after Jessica Keefe singled to center and then Brandi Blout singled to drive in Glover. But the VSU defense was too much for UT to handle. VSU scored three more insurance runs in the top of the seventh off a single by Ely who advanced to second off a sac bunt to Aszman. Ramsey doubled to left, scoring Ely. Edwards, who was hit by a pitch, advanced to second after Robin Williams was walked. Briana Collis reached on an error by the shortstop, scoring Ramsey and Edwards. Tampa could not score in the bottom of the seventh, giving VSU a 6-1 victory. Ely went two-for-three, scoring two runs and driving in one while Edwards was one-for-three with a run. Ramsey scored two runs while driving in one run with one hit. Ashley Hill picked up the win for the Lady Blazers, giving up five hits, striking out six in 5.1 innings. UT's Dougherty was one-for-three while Blout was two-for-two. VanLandingha received the loss, giving up eight hits and six runs in 7.0 innings. The Lady Blazers play again at home on Tuesday, February 13, in a double-header against Armstrong Atlantic starting at 5 p.m. at the Softball Complex.

Softball Sweeps Georgia Southwestern

2007-02-06

AMERICUS, Ga. - The Valdosta State softball team swept Georgia Southwestern on Tuesday night in a double-header. Junior Kristen Lindsey and sophomore Brianna Collis each picked up a win for the Lady Blazers, defeating the Hurricanes 11-3 and 8-0. In the first game, Alexandra Acosta went 2-4 with two doubles and a run scored while Kristina Ely hit 2-3 with a single, triple and two runs scored. Telecia Ramsey was 1-2 with a triple and a run scored. Lindsey only allowed two hits while striking out two and walking four in five innings, giving the Lady Blazers (5-1) an 11-3 victory. As a team, VSU hit five doubles, two triples and had 12 singles. In game two, Acosta again went 2-4 with a run scored while Amy Gaiss went 3-3 with her first home run of the season. VSU had 10 hits while Collis picked up the win for the Lady Blazers. Collis pitched a one-hit shutout while striking out three and allowing one walk in five innings. The Lady Blazers play a double-header against Tampa on Saturday, February 10 in Tampa, Fla. at 1:00 p.m.

Lady Blazers Split Second Day of Spring Classic

2007-02-04

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The softball team split the second day of the Valdosta State Lady Blazer Classic, coming from behind in the seventh inning to defeat Saint Leo 5-4, and then went hitless in a 1-0 loss to No. 2 Florida Southern. In their first game the Lady Blazers (3-1) wasted no time in putting runs on the board. After a Chantrele Edwards and Robin Williams walk, Saint Leo's (1-3) pitcher, Ashley Urbanik threw a wild pitch to advance the runners. Shannon Cleland stepped up the plate to smash a home run over the left field fence, putting the Lady Blazers up 3-0. The Lady Lions answered back in the very next inning, scoring one run off of a Lady Blazer throwing error, scoring Shelley Bartlett who singled to left field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Saint Leo scored again in the third inning. With a single by Christina Van Tassel, Erin Brunt advanced to third after being walked and stealing second base. Urbanik singled through the left side to cut the VSU lead to one. With one out in the fourth inning, VSU pitcher Kristen Lindsey walked Heather Stroud. Ashley Hill came in for relief and allowed a two-run homer by Brunt to put SLU up 4-3. Hill allowed one more hit in the inning, before retiring the next two batters. The Lady Blazers waited until the seventh inning with two outs to start their fire with a single to left field from Alex Acosta. Edwards walked followed by a shot down the left field line by Williams, scoring two runs to give VSU the win. Acosta was 2-4, scoring one run while Williams went 1-3 with two RBI's. Cleland hit VSU's first home run of the season, scoring three runs. Receiving her first win was. Hill who pitched 3.1 innings of relief, while allowing two hits and one run. SLU's Urbanik received her first loss, giving up six hits and five walks in 6.2 innings of play. The Lady Blazers took on No. 2 Florida Southern in their second game of the day, remaining hitless in as many times as the two teams have faced. Allison McKean started on the mound for the Lady Blazers, holding the Moccasins scoreless for four innings before Ashley Alpizar tripled down the right field line. She would score off of a single by Michelle Tatlock. This would be the only run of the game. FSC's Megan Brown received the win, giving up no hits and four walks in seven innings. McKean gave up only four hits and two walks with six strikeouts. The Lady Blazers return to action on Tuesday, February 6, when they travel to Georgia Southwestern for a 5 pm double header.

Lady Blazers Defeat Florida Southern 1-0 In Season Opener

2007-02-03

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State Lady Blazers opened the 2007 season with a 1-0 win over Florida Southern at the Valdosta State Lady Blazer Spring Classic on Saturday morning at the Softball Complex. Starting at pitching for the Lady Blazers (1-0) was junior Kristen Lindsey, who walked the first two batters and struck out the third. Solid defense held the Lady Moccasins (0-1) scoreless in the first. Florida Southern, who was ranked No. 2 in the national pre-season poll, was the first team to have a player on base, in the second inning after a double to center field by Angela Williams. Lindsey got herself out of the jam by striking out the next three batters. The Moccasins gathered three hits in the next two innings but were not able to score. In the bottom of the sixth Chantrele Edwards advanced to first base after being hit by a pitch. She was the first Lady Blazer to reach base in the game. After a passed ball, Edwards advanced to second. Alex Acosta hit a hard drive right at the second basemen's glove, Heidi Grondahl, let the ball get past her which scored Edwards. With two outs, the Lady Blazers still hoped for another run but ended the inning with a strike out. Lindsey had three-up, three-down seventh inning to end the game and give the Lady Blazers a win in their season opener. Lindsey picked up the win for VSU, only giving up four hits, no runs, no errors, two walks and nine strike outs in 24 at-bats. Picking up the loss for Florida Southern was Megan Brown who did not give up any hits but allowed two walks and nine strike outs in 19 at-bats. FSC's Sarah Kohlbrenner, Natalie Lang, Williams and Nikki Henderson were the only four players to receive hits in the game. The Lady Blazers play again today at 5:00 p.m. in their second game of the Lady Blazer Spring Classic.

VALDOSTA STATE ANNOUNCES SOFTBALL SIGNEES

2006-10-26

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Fourteen student-athletes have signed to play softball at Valdosta State beginning in the spring of 2007 according to an announcement made by head coach Thomas Macera Friday. Included in the group are eight junior college standouts who have chosen to continue their careers at Valdosta State. Two of the eight are familiar with Macera, after having starred for him at Lynn University two years ago. Alex Acosta batted .337 and hit 12 home runs while starting all 61 games at shortstop for Macera. The Miami, Fla. Native also recorded 42 RBI to lead the Knights. Kristin Ely started 53 games for Macera during his final year at Lynn and batted .273. The second baseman hit two home runs and had 14 RBI on the season. Both Acosta and Ely transferred to Manatee Community College last season before following Macera to Valdosta State. Pitcher Ashley Hill also comes to the Blazers from Manatee Community College. Hill, a Pembrooke Pines, Fla. Native, was 16-5 with three saves for the Lancers in 2006. She recorded 140.0 innings pitched and had a 1.00 earned run average. Hill allowed 86 hits and walked 33 while striking out 99 batters. "Our recruiting class is very solid," said Macera. "We have an accomplished pitcher in Hill and some very skilled infielders so we have definitely strengthened those positions." Macera also signed a pair of standouts from Owens Community College in Mackenzie Heban and Kylie Zweifel. Zweifel was named the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference Player-of-the-Year in 2006 after batting .546 with one home run and 27 RBI. The remaining three junior college transfers come from the state of Georgia in the form of Ebony Sealey (Coastal Georgia Community College), Melissa Brodhecker (Georgia Military) and Shannon Cleland (Georgia Perimeter). Cleland batted .361 with three home runs and 17 RBI while leading the Jaguars to the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association title in 2006 while Brodhecker hit .367 with three home runs and 30 RBI for the Bulldogs. "We were short outfielders last season and even had to play a pitcher in right field," added the second-year head coach. "By adding the players that we have, we have shored up those positions and added depth across the team that we just didn't have during my first year. I feel we have addressed all of our needs so it was definitely a successful recruiting season for us." The remaining six players all join the Valdosta State program after stellar prep careers in Georgia and Alabama. Included among the high school signees are former Lowndes High third baseman Amy Brightwell, Newnan High outfielders Audrey Massingill and Courtney Akomolede, Tift County's Kayla Franklin, Duluth High second baseman Erin Eglin and utility player Tiffany Burks, who starred at Gardendale High in Mount Olive, Ala. The Blazers return 10 letterwinners, including five everyday starters and four pitchers, off of a squad that was 41-24 and advanced to the NCAA Regional semifinals in 2006.

Softball Sponsors Blood Drive

2006-09-26

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State softball team sponsored a blood drive in conjunction with the American Red Cross on Monday afternoon on the VSU campus. The drive shattered the goal of 33 pints as the Red Cross estimated more than 80 would be collected by the conclusion of the day. "The team and I felt this would be a good way to help the American Red Cross and the Valdosta community", said Coach Thomas Macera. "It was a successful day as we almost tripled our goals coming into the drive." More than three-quarters of the 25 person softball roster donated during the drive as did a number of Valdosta State students. "The Red Cross indicated that they were very surprised and pleased by the turn out," concluded Macera. "In fact, we had to turn some potential donors away because we did not have the staff or facilities to handle the demand to give."

Softball Receives Academic Honor

2006-08-26

VALDOSTA, Ga. - The 2005-06 Valdosta State women's softball team was recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) for compiling the 29th best grade point average (GPA) among all NCAA Division II teams. The Lady Blazers compiled a cumulative GPA of 3.259 for both the 2005 fall semester and 2006 spring semester. Six Lady Blazers earned the NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete Award, having a GPA of 3.5 or higher, including: Rebecca Aszman, Brianna Collis, Lindsey Lloyd, Ashley Mayhue, Holly Willis and Elske ten Hoope. Six other players achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher including: Anastasia Clinch, Amy Gaiss, Allison McKean, Melissa Santana and Jessica WIlliams. VSU is the only team in the Gulf South Conference and the second team in the Region to receive this honor. The Lady Blazers return 10 letterwinners, including five everyday starters and four pitchers, off of a squad that was 41-24 and advanced to the NCAA Regional semifinals in 2006.