AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State baseball team used a steady stream of offense to outlast the Augusta Jaguars and pick up a 6-4 victory in midweek non-conference action on Wednesday in Augusta, Ga.
After allowing an early run in the bottom half of the second, the Blazers returned fire in the top half of the third with three consecutive base hits. The final blow of the back-to-back-to-back strike by the Blazer offense was a bases-loaded double by Dalton Murray that drove home two runs.
Augusta followed with another run in the bottom of the third to tie the game at 2-2, but Matt Weidenbach teamed up with Colton Chupp in the half inning to allow just the one run to cross, despite four singles by the Jaguars.
Valdosta State took the lead again in the top of the fourth, after BJ White led off the inning with one of his three hits on the day and eventually scored on an O'Kevius Conway groundout. Augusta retaliated yet again, however, with a solo shot that Jim Wagner squeezed inside the right field foul pole.
WIth the score tied again at 3-3, the Blazers scored the deciding blow in the top half of the sixth inning after White reached again on a one out double, before scoring later in the inning on a throwing error by the shortstop. The Blazers added a pair of critical insurance runs in the each of the next two innings, which allowed Logan Elliot room to work for his second save of the season after an eventful bottom of the ninth.
Tristan Cone, who represented one of seven hurlers to throw for VSU's pitching contingent on Wednesday, picked up the victory for his first of the season. The win improved the Blazers to 5-5 on the year, while the Jaguars fell to 2-9 overall.
White was the highlight for the Blazers offensively, with a 3-for-4 effort and three runs scored in the game. Valdosta State delivered a stellar situational hitting performance with two bunt singles, timely hitting throughout the game, and two sacrifice flies.
Valdosta State returns to action on Saturday for the start of the team's Gulf South Conference schedule. The weekend begins with a doubleheader against the rival Statesmen of Delta State at 1:00 p.m., with the finale set to take place on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Live links of all the action will be available at www.vstateblazers.com.
