VALDOSTA, Ga. | The No. 25 University of Alabama in Huntsville softball team nearly overcame a four-run deficit on Sunday but ultimately fell 4-3 to host No. 2 Valdosta State. The Chargers drop to 8-4 (0-3 Gulf South Conference), while VSU improves to 9-2 (3-0 GSC).
 
UAH will now return home for its first contests at Charger Park this season when the squad welcomes Union to Huntsville for a three-game set next weekend. The Saturday doubleheader is slated for a 12 p.m. start.
 
In Sunday's contest in the Peach State, hits were even at 6-6, but the difference would prove to be found in the home runs that both teams hit, with VSU's a three-run shot in the first and UAH's a two-run round-tripper in the fourth.
 
UAH's homer belonged to Lila Young who recorded her first of the season while driving in pair, and Young now ranks third on the team with eight RBI.
 
Jada Henderson finished the contest 2-for-3.
 
Layton Murphy went the distance for the Chargers in the circle, scattering six hits and allowing the four runs while striking out one.
 
The Chargers found themselves in the four-run hole after the first-inning homer and another run scored by VSU in the third, but Young's jack in the fourth would plate Mackenzie Nutt who had singled on the previous at-bat, pulling the visitors to within two at 4-2.
 
Murphy then worked a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom half of the fourth, allowing the Chargers to pull within one in their half of the fifth when Handerson singled, moved to second on Gracie Green's sac bunt, and scored on Kaylee Vaught's single to right.
 
Murphy ultimately retired consecutively the last 10 she faced, giving the Chargers a chance, and UAH would get the potential tying run on board in the seventh before VSU wiggled out of it to secure the win.