LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Delta State used a pair of three-run innings to defeat Valdosta State 7-4 in an elimination game of the Gulf South Conference Tournament Sunday at Tartt Field.
After the pitchers dominated the first three innings of the game, Delta State (23-17) opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth. Jacob Swiney walked to open the inning before Ethan Gill was hit by a pitch. An error on a Ben Pickard ground ball loaded the bases and two batters later Colton Welch singled to left to plate Swiney for a 1-0 Statesmen lead.
Valdosta State, which ended its season at 28-19, responded with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to take a 2-1 lead.
Ryan Smith doubled to open the inning before
Zac Goodno reached on a fielding error on a throw to first base. Following a sacrifice bunt,
Mike Reed singled up the middle to drive both base runners home.
The Statesmen got the lead right back in the bottom of the fifth as Ethan Gill hit his 10
th homer of the year with two men on base while DSU pushed its lead to 7-2 with three runs in the seventh.
Bryant Hayman hit his 13
th homer of the year in the top of the eighth inning to pull VSU to within 7-4 for the game's final runs.
Kyle Andre fell to 6-5 as he allowed seven hits and seven runs, six earned, in 7.0 innings. Hayman and Reed each drove in two runs to lead the Blazers offensively.
