ST. AUGUSINTE – Nationally-ranked Valdosta State used five runs on four hits in the top of the sixth inning to earn an 8-3 victory over the Flagler College softball team on Sunday afternoon at Flagler Field.

The win helped the Blazers move to 6-1 on the year, while the Saints dropped to 3-4.

Caitlyn Calhoun (3-1) logged all seven innings of work for Valdosta State, allowing just one walk and striking out four. Erin Anderson (1-2) threw five innings for the Saints, while Tinsley Smith came and pitched 1.1 innings.

The Blazers took an early lead, 2-0, in the first inning with the help of a couple of Flagler walks and pass balls, but Mackenzie Conley put the Saints on the board in the second inning with a solo homer to left center.

Valdosta State scored again in the fifth inning, stretching its lead to 3-1 after a sacrifice fly from Jamie Phillips scored Courtney Albritton, but the Saints rallied with two outs in the bottom of the inning, capitalizing on two Blazer errors. Kelli Parker beat out a bunt and scored on an error made by the Valdosta State shortstop, while Tori Volz singled to left center and an error by the catcher would score Rachel Hudson, tying the game at three runs apiece. 

Fran Johnson set the tone for the top of the sixth inning, leading off with a home run over the left field fence. Valdosta State continued to load on the offense in the inning, recording three more hits and scoring four more runs. 

Kayla Fuller and Malloree Escuee each got on base with a single in the sixth and seventh inning, respectively, but it was not enough as Volz grounded out to third for the final out of the game.

The Saints will look to rebound on Friday (Feb. 13) against Florida Southern at 5 p.m. at Flagler Field.