MONTGOMERY, Ala. – After winning its first-official Gulf South Conference series as a full member of NCAA DII, the Auburn University at Montgomery softball team will welcome nationally ranked Valdosta State to the AUM Softball Complex.
 
Game Information: #25 Valdosta State (8-3, 3-0 GSC)
Date:  Saturday, Feb. 22-23, 2020
Time:  12, 2 p.m. | 1 p.m.
Location: Montgomery, Ala.
Media Coverage Live Video | Live Stats
 
About the Warhawks  
After only three weeks of game action, the Warhawks are near the top of every statistical category in both the Gulf South Conference, and the NCAA. In the GSC, the Orange & Black's .350 team avg ranks second behind UAH, while AUM's 1.06 team era is tops in the league.

The Warhawks' pitching staff in particular is making national noise. AUM ranks in the top-10 in ERA and WHIP thanks in large part to the efforts of Alanna Goble and Chanel Newcomer. Goble's 0.30 ERA leads the GSC and ranks second in the NCAA DII with at least 20 innings pitched.  

Offensively, the Orange & Black have been terrorizing opposing pitchers. AUM has four players in the top-10 in the GSC in batting average. Jaycie Walker leads the league with a .545 avg, while Kendall Tucker (.526), Molly Cobb (.500) and Allie Miller (.423) all make appearances in the top-10.    

Additionally, with eight stolen bases this season, Olivia Aycock and Parker Pinholster rank in the top-10 in stolen bases, coming in at tied for fifth.  

AUM has faced one other ranked opponent this season, falling to No. 16 North Georgia 2-0 in the Orange & Black's second game of the year. Newcomer and Goble combined to hold the Nighthawks to two hits in the contest.

Scouting the competition
Valdosta State, after winning eight of their first 11 games, came in at No. 25 in the latest NFCA polls, joining Alabama Huntsville (20) and West Florida (RV) as the only GSC teams in the rankings.   

The Lady Blazers were one of two teams in the conference to sweep their opponent to begin conference play. VSU took three straight from the Shorter Hawks to with their eighth game of the year before heading to Montgomery.  

The hottest Lady Blazer is Jordenne Gaten who is coming off Gulf South Conference Player of the Week honors. Gaten in 2020 is hitting .306 with four home runs and seven RBIs.  
 
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