VALDOSTA, Ga. - The UWG softball team fell in both ends of a Saturday doubleheader, losing two to in-state rival Valdosta State in Gulf South Conference action.

It was two completely opposite games between West Georgia (4-18, 2-9 GSC) and 11th-ranked Valdosta State (18-4, 9-2 GSC) at Steel's Diamond in Valdosta. The Blazers took game one, 1-0, before putting up 10 runs in a six-inning victory in game two.

GAME ONE
A good ole fashioned pitcher's duel broke out in the series opener, as the two teams combined for one run. Macy Ann McKnight pitched a gem of a game for the Wolves, but allowed just one run to take the loss.

The Blazers scored their lone run with two outs in the second inning, capitalizing on a leadoff walk. After the free pass, McKNight got back-to-back-strikeouts before a Jasmine Stewart double off the wall gave the Blazers the 1-0 lead.

West Georgia had just four hits in the game, while VSU finished with five. McKnight struck out seven batters in the loss, tossing 128 total pitches.

Madison Vandergriff, R.J. Janke, Emerson Miller, and Chandler Nevis had the four hits for UWG.

GAME TWO
VSU wasted no time in taking the lead in game two, using a two-run home run in the first off the bat of Taylor Lewis. The Blazers' Jasmine Stewart then hit a three-run home run, stretching the lead to 5-0. 

It wasn't until the fourth inning that UWG got on the board, as Isabella Pinto led off by reaching on an error and then Madison Vandergriff singled to put the Wolves in business. After a sacrifice bunt, Jacelyn Lahr singled home Pinto to make it 5-1.

Vandergriff had a second hit in the fifth inning that pushed across Emma Bailey and made it 5-2 before the Wolves stranded two more in scoring position to end the fifth.

The Blazers got two back in their half of the fifth before a three-spot in the sixth ended the game.

Both Pinto and Vandergriff had two hits in the game, accounting for four of the Wolves' six hits. 

Katie Morris pitched the complete game for the Wolves and only gave up five hits but was plagued by nine walks and the two home runs.

NOTABLE NUMBERS
- Vandergriff went 3-for-6 in the doubleheader, raising her batting average to .310. She also notched her 11th RBI to rejoin Janke for the team lead.
- McKnight struck out seven in the series opener, marking just the second time in her career she has notched at least seven strikeouts.

UP NEXT
The Wolves return to Steel's Diamond for the series finale tomorrow. With rain anticipated for the late afternoon, the game has been moved up to an 11 a.m. start.