Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 VALDOSTA, Ga. – The No. 4 Valdosta State University Lady Blazers scored a combined 11 runs in the fifth and sixth innings to sweep a doubleheader from the Delta State University Lady Statesmen softball team, Saturday at Steel's Diamond.
 
The Lady Blazers (35-9, 20-7), who are defending NCAA Division II National Champions, scored seven runs in the bottom of the fifth to take game one 7-1 and used a three run home run in the bottom of the sixth for a 7-5 victory in the second game.
 
It took until the top of the fifth for either team to score in the first game, as the Lady Statesmen (16-33, 8-22) took a 1-0 lead on a throwing error by VSU second baseman Courtney Albritton
 
VSU bounced back in a big way in the bottom half of the inning, scoring seven runs on four hits, including back-to-back RBI doubles by Fran Johnson and Hannah Strickland.
 
Lady Blazer starting pitcher Hanna Lythberg retired eight of the final nine DSU hitters to finish the game.
 
Taylor Holland had two of DSU's four hits, while Strickland (2-for-3) was the only player to have multiple hits for Valdosta State.
 
Miller Maddox (3-9) allowed five runs, one earned, on five hits in 4.1 innings pitched. Lauren Kendall allowed two unearned runs on three hits in 1.2 innings of relief.
 
Lythberg (12-3) allowed one unearned run on four hits in the complete game effort.
 
Both offenses got going much quicker in game two, as the Lady Statesmen scored a pair in the top of the first on an RBI double by Holland and a throwing error by shortstop Shelby Altman, after an infield single by Mariah Alvarez.
 
VSU answered in the bottom half of the frame with an RBI single by Altman and a sacrifice fly by Ashley Steinhilber.
 
In the top of third, the Lady Statesmen loaded the bases with three straight two out singles. With the bases loaded, Caroline Womack drew a walk to give DSU a 3-2 lead.
 
After Altman tied the game at 3-3 with a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning, VSU then took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth on a solo shot to lead off the inning by Steinhilber.
 
Altman hit her second home run of the game, a three run shot, to give the Lady Blazers a 6-3 in the bottom of the sixth.
 
DSU put a scare into the home team in the top of the seventh, scoring a pair of runs on an RBI single by Mariah Alvarez and a ground ball on the infield by Taylor Hughes. With the tying runs on base, Womack grounded out to the pitcher to end the game.
 
Mariah Alvarez led DSU with three hits, while Adock, Holland and Memrie Corley each all added two hits apiece.
 
Altman finished 3-for-4 with five RBIs to lead VSU.
 
Brittany Gonzales (9-15) allowed four runs on eight hits in five innings of work. Taylor Hughes allowed three runs in 0.1 innings of relief. Maddox did not allow a hit, as she forced the final two outs in the bottom of the sixth.
 
Brianna Hancock (13-4) allowed five runs, three earned on 10 hits in 6.1 innings. Lythberg (2) allowed one hit, as she picked up the save.
 
The Lady Statesmen close out the regular season on Sunday, April 28 with a GSC doubleheader at the University of West Florida. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.