SAINT LEO, Fla. – A two out, 0-2, RBI single from Saint Leo's Peyton Issacson handed Valdosta State heartbreaking a 6-5 loss Tuesday evening in 10 innings as VSU dropped to 8-4 on the year.  The Blazers battled back from a pair of deficits in the game, highlighted by three-run home run in the fifth and ninth inning RBI double from junior Mack Hathcock.    
 
Following the game-tying double from Hathcock, a leadoff walk to senior Josh Brougton began the top of the tenth and a pitching change from the Lions followed.  A fielder's choice and a stolen base from senior DJ King put the go ahead run in scoring position for the Blazers.  Lion relief pitcher Jordan Peel (1-1) fanned the next two batters to get out of the jam heading to the bottom of the tenth.  
 
The Lions began the bottom of the tenth with a single through the left side and Dahl (1-1) retired the next two, but a hit batsmen put two on base.  Isaacson got his first hit of the game on a single to left field on an 0-2 count for the game winner.
 
Dahl took the loss as he went 1.2 innings, allowing two hits, one earned run, walked none and fanned two.  He was the ninth pitcher VSU used in the game.  Junior Zach Blankenship started the game, going 3.1 innings, allowing four hits, three earned runs, walked one and fanned six.  The Blazer pitching staff fanned Saint Leo 17 times to tie the season-high, but nine walks and two hit batsmen proved costly. 
 
For the game, the Blazers had five runs on ten hits with eight stranded, while Saint Leo had six runs on ten hits with one error and left 11 on base.  Hathcock was 2 for 4 with two runs scored, four RBI, a double and a home run to lead four Blazers with two hits each.  Isaacson finished 1 for 5 with two RBI and the game winning hit. 
 
Peel went one inning, walking one and fanning two for the win as the Lions used five pitchers in the game, walking seven and fanning ten.
 
The Lions opened the scoring with two runs in the third on a double down the left field line and a ground out for a 2-0 lead.
 
VSU cut the deficit in half in the top of the fourth on a senior Josh Broughton single to left as Saint Leo added two more runs in the bottom of the frame for a 4-1 lead.
 
Training 4-1 in the top of the fifth, Hathcock tied the game with a home run to right field for a 4-4 score. It was his first home run of the season and the third of the year for the Blazers.  
 
In the top of the eighth, VSU loaded the bases with one out, but was unable to capitalize as it hit into a double play to end the threat.  In the bottom of the inning the Blazers used three pitchers in the frame and the Lions scored the go ahead run on a bases loaded walk courtesy of four Blazer free passes.  
 
Down to their final at bat and final out in regulation, a walk to junior Jon Jon Burkett and a Hathcock double down the line plated Burkett to tie the game at five.  In the bottom of the ninth a walk put the winning run on first, but senior reliver Call Graham got the first out via strikeout as VSU went to the bullpen once again.  Another free pass put two on with one away as the Blazers made another change at pitcher in favor of Dahl.   
 
Dahl fanned the next batter and battled back from a 3-1 count to fan PJ Barry to end the inning forcing the first extra-inning game of the season for the Blazers, and marked the first extra-inning game since an 11-9 win at West Florida on Apr. 29, 2018. 
 
The Blazers return home to host Kentucky Wesleyan Sunday and Monday in a three-game series at Billy Grant Field at Tommy Thomas Park.  The Blazers and Panthers are set for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, followed by a single game Monday at 4 p.m.