ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Flagler College softball team split their doubleheader against Valdosta State University on Wednesday at Flagler Field. The Saints took game one 8-5, but fell in game two 5-3.
The first game stared off strong for Flagler, putting up two runs in the bottom of the first. Sydney Stewart led the batting order with a single through the left side. Cassidy Crump stepped up to the plate with two outs and connected with a ball, that went over the left field fence, for a two-run home run.
Valdosta State added two runs of their own in the top of the third.
The bottom of the fourth saw three home runs for the Saints, extending the lead to 5-2. Kyla Knier was the first, connecting on the first pitch to send it out over left center. Mackenzie Smith followed it up for back-to-back home runs with one of her own over center field. After a pitching change for Valdosta State, Rylee Konowalchuk grounded out and Jordan Moss earned the fifth run with her home run to left field.
Three runs were added for Valdosta State in the top of the fifth to tie things up.
The bottom of the sixth saw three runs on two hits for the Saints. Paige Maseda was up to bat with runners on second and third and only one out. She reached on a fielder's choice and scored Olivia Burns. A sacrifice fly from Stewart brought in Konowalchuk and Maseda scored on a passed ball during the next at bat, making it 8-5.
Madelyn Wise (3-1) earned the win for the Saints after pitching two innings and striking out five batters.
In game two, the game was scoreless until the fourth inning. Valdosta State put up four runs on two hits in the top of the fourth with two home runs.
The Saints followed up in the bottom of the fourth with one run scored by Hannah Smith on a single from Knier. Valdosta State added another run of their own in the top of the sixth, extending their lead to 5-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, Moss homered to center field to add another run for Flagler. Hannah Smith was up with two runners on base and she sent a single up the middle to score Stewart. The game ended after seven innings with Valdosta State taking it 5-3.
Savannah Barfield earned the win for Valdosta State after pitching 6.2 innings. Dakota Kulis got the loss for Flagler after 3.1 innings and four runs given up.
The Saints will travel to Milledgeville, Ga. to face Georgia College & State University to start the conference season on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 24-25).
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