VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State Blazers racked up double-digit runs in a 13-2 victory over Shorter, before falling in game two, 7-6, in a Gulf South Conference doubleheader matchup on Saturday at Billy Grant Field in Valdosta, Ga.

The Blazers scored runs in four of their six trips to the plate in the first game of the day and fully capitalized on five Shorter miscues to roll past the Hawks for a lopsided mercy-rule victory.

The highlight of the game was a four-run sixth that included a two Blazer homers. Luke Suchon started the surge with a solo shot to left, and after Nick Koslowski followed with a double down the right field line, Dalton Murray unloaded on a towering two-run shot off of the high side of the scoreboard in left center field. The blast marked Murray's sixth of the year and lifted his career total to 12.

In game two, the Hawks turned the tables and capitalized on four Blazer errors with nine hits and seven runs in the first six frames.

Valdosta State refused to go quietly, however. Trailing 7-1 in the bottom of the final inning, the Blazers sent ten batters to the plate and recorded four hits for five runs. The Blazers used the rally, which included a three-run homer off the bat of DJ King, to pull to within one, but the Hawks got the outs they needed down the stretch to hold on to the win and cap off the split.

The Blazers moved to 16-25 overall and 9-16 in GSC play with the results of the day, and the Hawks shifted to 22-22 overall and 10-16 against league opponents.

The two teams will battle for the series victory tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. at Billy Grant Field at Tommy Thomas Park.