VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Georgia Southwestern Lady Hurricanes blew into Valdosta with hopes of stringing together more wins after sweeping Brewton-Parker College last week. Their mission would be would not get accomplished as the Blue & Gold were swept by # 5 Valdosta by scores of 2-0 and 9-1.
GAME ONE: Georgia Southwestern-0 #5 Valdosta State-2
Jessica Martin would battle her way through the first three innings of the game for the Lady Hurricanes. The Woodstock native would walk two batters in each of the first three innings but was able to walk away unscathed in each of the three innings.
On the flip side, Georgia Southwestern's bats would also be silenced in the early going by Valdosta State pitcher Alanna Hadley. The Lady Hurricanes would only get one hit off Hadley in the first four innings while striking out three times.
The zeroes would continue on both sides of the scoreboard as both sides would go scoreless through the first six innings. The Hurricanes would get three hits over those six innings from Mason Moreland (single), Rachel McElroy (single) and Gabby Buck (double).
Martin would have a no-hitter going into the seventh inning despite giving up seven walks. After recording the first out, Martin would give up her first hit of the game to the Lady Blazers on a single by Sarah Vaughn. The next batter, Courtney Allbritton, would hit a walk off two-run home run to end the game 2-0.
GAME TWO: Georgia Southwestern-1 #5 Valdosta State-9 (5 Innings)
After being shutout in game one, the Blue & Gold would look to score by any means necessary. The 'Canes would get on the board first when Rachel McElroy would score on a Lady Blazer error in the second inning.
The response from Valdosta State came in a hurry in their half of the second inning. GSW starter Brittny Dennison would walk two batters and a third would load the bases on a GSW error, and then VSU's Morgan Johnson would empty the bases with a double to left field to give the home team the 3-1 lead.
Johnson's bases-clearing double would be the opening of the flood gates for Valdosta State. A one-run fourth inning opened for a game-ending five-run fifth inning. The Lady Blazers' Courtney Allbritton, Morgan Johnson, Samantha Posey and Angela O'Connor would all tally RBI's in the inning.
Seven of the nine Valdosta State runs would be earned runs scattered among the three GSW pitchers (Dennison, Martin and Burns).
The pair of losses sets the Georgia Southwestern record back to 5-9 for the 2012 season. It won't be a long wait for the Lady Hurricanes to get back on the field. They will play host to Fort Valley State on Friday, February 24th at Lady Canes Field. The double header is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.