GOLDEN SUNS FALL TO EIGHTH-RANKED VALDOSTA STATE ON FINAL DAY OF GSC CROSSOVER SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

        DECATUR, Alabama – Arkansas Tech Golden Suns Softball concluded play in the 2009 Gulf South Conference Crossover Tournament here on Monday at Wilson-Morgan Park with a 4-1 loss to eighth-ranked Valdosta State.

With the loss, Tech’s record drops to 29-19 overall on the season and 12-8 in the GSC, while VSU improves to 36-5 overall and 12-1 in the GSC. Tech finished the four-day crossover tournament with a 1-5 record.

          VSU’s Alyssa Shirley put the Lady Blazers on top with a two-run homer of Tech freshman Morgan Rodgers (Mansfield, Texas) in the top of the first inning after Marti Little reached on a two-out error by junior third baseman Taylor Gates (Paris, Texas).

          Tech’s only run of the game came on a solo blast by Gates leading off the bottom of the second inning to pull the Golden Suns within 2-1.

          Neither team would score until the top of the seventh inning when Little once again reached on a two-out error by freshman shortstop Stephanie Lasley (Greenbrier, Ark.) before Shirley knocked her second home run of the game over the left field wall, extending VSU’s advantage to 4-1.

          Despite not allowing an earned run, Rodgers (11-10) was handed the loss. The right-hander tossed seven innings, giving up four unearned runs on five hits, with two walks and three strikeouts.

          Margaret Carter (11-3) earned the win for VSU, allowing one run on six hits, while walking two and fanning six in seven innings.

          The Golden Suns out-hit the Lady Blazers 6-5, but committed three errors to VSU’s one.

          Gates, Rodgers, senior rightfielder Sarah Pratt (Garland, Texas), sophomore second baseman Shanda Jimeson (Mansfield, Texas), junior catcher Roxie Palacios (Crosby, Texas) and senior centerfielder Krista Cifuentes (Clinton, Ark.) all had a hit in the game for the Golden Suns.

          Shirley paced Valdosta with going 2-for-3 with the two homers and 4 RBIs.

 The Golden Suns will be back in action on Thursday, April 9 when they host Northeastern State in a non-conference doubleheader scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex. In addition to hosting Northeastern State on Thursday, Tech will also celebrate National Student-Athlete Day with a cookout at 4:15 p.m.

 Valdosta State Box Score

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