Valdosta State softball sweeps Albany State

ALBANY — After displaying solid defense in its last contest at Columbus State, the Albany State women’s softball team met an offensive juggernaut Tuesday afternoon. ASU dropped a doubleheader to in-state rival Valdosta State University by the scores of 21-0 and 8-1.

With the pair of losses, the Lady Rams are now 1-9 overall. VSU improved to 9-2.

In the first game, Albany State found itself behind after the top of the first inning. Valdosta State scored five runs in the top of the inning and added four more in the second to build a 9-0 lead.

In the fourth, the hard-hitting Lady Blazers recorded 10 runs and built a 19-0 advantage. Two more runs were scored by VSU in the top of the fifth and the game ended with the eight-run rule.

The Lady Rams recorded five hits, committed four errors and left eight runners on base. Aryn McGowan (1-5) was the losing pitcher.

The Lady Blazers recorded 20 hits and left five runners on base. Avery Lamb was the winning pitcher.

In the second game, Valdosta State took a 2-0 lead in the first three innings, but ASU rallied in the bottom of the fourth. Brianna Murillo hit a single to send Kayla Alexander home and cut the team’s deficit to 2-1.

However, VSU generated six more runs in the final three innings and held Albany State scoreless the rest of the way to halt the home team’s comeback attempt.

Alexander led the Lady Rams with three hits. ASU had seven hits, three errors and stranded five runners. Tiffany Massey (0-4) was the losing pitcher.

Albany State will have a week off before hosting another in-state rival at the ASU West Campus. The Lady Rams will face Georgia Southwestern in a doubleheader on Feb. 21. Game times are scheduled for 2 and 4 p.m.