MELBOURNE, Fla. – Down 6-1 heading into the sixth, the Valdosta State baseball team rallied for four runs over the final innings, but came up just short in a 6-5 loss at Florida Tech Friday.  VSU stranded 11 runners in the game, including leaving the bags full in the eighth.  
 
In the bottom of the first for the Panthers, a pair of singles to center began the frame and back-to-back passed balls plated a run for the Panthers off VSU junior starter Jonathan Gettys.  Jacob Buser then doubled on a 2-2 count to right center, plating the second run of the frame.  Gettys got the first out on a fly out to center and a strikeout for the second out. Rodnie Bernard singled home the third run of the inning.  The Blazers got out of the inning with no further damage as FIT collected four hits in the frame and three runs.
 
VSU got on the board in the third courtesy of two errors on the Panthers as junior Jowenrick Daantji singled to right, then advanced to second on an error and senior Josh Broughton, who began the game 2 for 2 as the only Blazer to have a hit to that point, scored on a throwing error for a 3-1 deficit.  
 
Back-to-back walks by Gettys began the bottom of the third for the Panthers.  Following a strike out and a hit batsmen to load the bases, Bernard tallied his second RBI of the game with a single to right and a 4-1 lead.  A miscue by the Blazers plated the fifth run of the game and second of the inning and a bases loaded walk made the score 6-1 as Gettys was chased from the game in favor of junior Tyler Moore.  VSU got out of the inning with a ground out.  
 
Broughton tallied his third hit of the game with a double to left field putting runners at second and third with two away in the top of the fifth.  FIT starter Andrew Marzheuser tallied his tenth strikeout of the game to end the frame as VSU left two more in scoring position. 
 
VSU used a leadoff single from senior Matt Hathcock in the sixth and senior DJ King singled and advanced to second on an error, plating Hathcock for a 6-2 score. The Blazers added two more runs in the seventh, scoring two on the fourth error of the game by the Panthers for a 6-4 score and plated another run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly for a 6-5 score.  VSU left the bags full in the eighth as unfortunately they were unable to do any further damage. 
 
Hathcock drew a leadoff walk in the ninth putting the tying run on base and King was plunked by a pitch putting runners at first and second.  Hathcock's free pass was just the second walk of the game issued by the Panthers.  A pair of stolen bases followed as FIT closer Jordan Murray was relieved by Ryan Allain with a 3-2 count.  Allain got the first out on a groundout to first base, followed by an intentional walk. Junior Noah Wilkes hit into a double play to end the game.  
 
VSU outhit FIT 11-8 and had one error, while the Panthers committed four.  The Blazers stranded 11 on base, while FIT left eight.  All but one of VSU's runs in the game were unearned.  Brougton went 4 of 4 with two runs scored to lead the Blazers as the only multi-hit player on the team.  Gettys (0-1) took the loss in his second outing, going 2.2 innings, allowing all six runs – four earned, walked three and fanned five.  VSU walked eight in the game and fanned nine.  
 
Florida Tech (1-3) was led by Bernard offensively going 3 for 4 with two RBI as the only Panther with multiple hits.  Buser scored two runs and drove in one.  Marzheuser (1-0) took the win in six strong innings, allowing seven hits, two unearned runs, walked none and fanned 11.  Allain picked up his first save of the season in one inning, walking one while facing two batters.  
 
The Blazers face Wingate in the final game of the weekend series at 2 p.m. Friday afternoon, while FIT will face Wingate at 6 p.m.  Check back this evening for a complete recap and stats of the game against Wingate.