Blazers Fall 6-3 to Florida Southern

VSU manages just four hits in loss

MAGNOLIA, Ark. - Florida Southern used a six-run sixth inning to defeat Valdosta State 6-3 in the second round of the NCAA South Region Tournament at Mulerider Field Friday evening.

After the two starting pitcher dominated the first five innings of the game, the Mocs (40-14) got on the board with one out in the bottom of the sixth when Zach Maggard hit a home run over the wall in centerfield, scoring Nick Stanley who had walked. Blazer starter Brandon Graves got a ground out for the next out in the frame, before FSC strung together three straight hits to score its next run. Andrew Grutka started the string with an infield single and moved to second when Braxton Chisholm singled through the left-side of the infield. Colin Kaline proceeded to collect a base hit to center to plate Grutka before Trae Gore walked to load the bases. Wade Kirkland followed with a single to right-center that scored Chisholm and Kaline to post Florida Southern to a 6-0 advantage.

The Blazers (42-20) responded with three runs in the top of the seventh. With two outs in the frame, Brandon Decker was hit by a pitch and advanced to second as Blaine Wilson doubled down the left field line for VSU's second hit of the game. Jon Koenigsfeld drove both base runners home with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a Sho Kohata walk. The next batter, Robby Kuzdale, singled to left, scoring Koenigsfeld for the final run of the game.

Florida Southern threatened early in the contest as it loaded the bases against Graves in the first inning and had a runner on third in the third, but came up empty both times. Meanwhile, VSU managed just three base runners through the first three innings as Kuzdale drew a pair of walks and Chaz Bagwell singled in the third.

Valdosta State was held to just four hits in the game, its third-lowest total of the season as FSC starter Matt Zoltak also walked three while striking out 10 in six and two-thirds to improve to 2-4 on the year. Daniel Tillman recorded the final five outs, four via strikeout, to earn his 11th save of the year.

Graves surrendered nine hits and walked five batters while striking out six in five and two-thirds to fall to 11-2 on the year.

Gore, Robbie Shields and Kaline each tallied two hits to lead the Mocs at the plate.

Valdosta State advances to Saturday%u2019s elimination game against Tampa. The game, which was originally scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Eastern, has been moved to 1:00 p.m. due to rain that is supposed to move into the Magnolia area later in the afternoon.

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