ROME -- The Lady Hawks swept No. 5 Valdosta State in the opening doubleheader of the three game series Saturday; taking the opener 10-0 in five innings; before earning the win 6-5 in the finale.

Shorter improves to 19-8 on the season and 8-3 in conference play; while the Blazers go to 20-6 overall and 9-2 in the GSC – the losses for VSU were their first of the year against a conference opponent.

In game one the Lady Hawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning as Maddie Hunt scored on a fielder's choice, Ericka Bynum came in on an error and Kameron Carter scored on a ground out.

Shorter then added to in the second with three runs. First, as Bynum delivered an RBI single to second base, bringing in Carson Carriker; then, as Carter delivered her first homerun of the afternoon to make it a 6-0 game.

The Lady Hawks then put the game out of reach in the four, adding four runs for the 10-0 score. Carter singled to lead off the inning and came in on Dani Lukas' first homer of the day. Before, Carriker hit into a fielder's choice, plating Peyton Barthel; who reached base earlier in the inning on a single up the middle. Tiffany Holland delivered the winning run; plating Savannah Thomas on a single to centerfield to give Shorter the ten run advantage.

Valdosta State threatened in the top of the fifth, but were unable to score as Jessica Mohl and Chelsea Canara flied out to end the inning; leaving two runners on.

In total the Lady Hawks tallied 13 hits; while Holland, Carter and Lukas each finished with a multi-hit game.

Payton Lippert earned the win, to move to 7-3 on the season; holding the Blazers scoreless on two hits with a walk and a strikeout.

In game two, the Lady Hawks once again jumped out to an early lead; scoring three in the first as Carter and Lukas tallied back-to-back homeruns.

Valdosta State, however, began chipping away; scoring one in the second. Before, adding three in the third to take the lead 4-3.

Shorter tied the game in the bottom of the third on an RBI single from Hannah Draper. Only to have Tana McDaniel deliver a homerun to left center for the Blazers in the fourth to give VSU a 5-4 lead.

The Lady Hawks tied the game once again in the fifth when Taylor Martin scored on an error by the shortstop, and then took the lead in the sixth, 6-5, on an RBI single from Lukas.

Valdosta State had two base runners in the seventh but couldn't push the run across as the Lady Hawks held on for the 6-5 win.

Carter and Lukas each finished the game 3-3 with a homerun and two RBI.

Kalei Clark earned the win, to move to 6-1 on the season; allowing no runs on two hits with three walks and three strikeouts through four innings of relief work.

The Lady Hawks will look to complete the three game sweep Sunday afternoon beginning at 1:00pm.