VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State baseball team dropped a doubleheader to No. 16 West Florida Saturday afternoon.  The Blazers (13-12, 4-6 GSC) lost 6-5 in the opener and 9-1 in the nightcap as UWF improved to 17-8 and 10-1 in league play.
 
#16 West Florida 6, Valdosta State 5 (Game 1)
 
In the opener, VSU loaded the bases in the bottom of the third with nobody out on a walk, a bunt single and a fielders' choice bunt.  A sacrifice fly from senior Josh Broughton plated the first run and a 1-0 lead for the Blazers.   That would be all VSU would get in the frame, leaving two stranded and four left on base for the game through three innings.
 
The Argos' bats came alive in the top of the fifth inning as they plated four runs on six hits off VSU junior hurler Jonathan Gettys.  UWF used a RBI single, RBI double and a two RBI triple for a 4-1 lead with nobody out.  Junior Zach Blankenship relieved Gettys and he retired the side as the Argos left the bags full. 
 
The Blazers roared back in the bottom of the frame as senior Mack Hathcock began the frame with a double to left center, followed by a single through the left side from junior Jowenrick Daantji and Broughton singled Hathcock home for a 4-2 score.  A walk loaded the bases and junior Mike Christopoulos hit a sacrifice fly for a 4-3 score.  Senior Aaron Haughton singled to center tying the game at four with nobody out. 
 
Three free passes courtesy of walks loaded the bases for the Argos in the sixth with one away.  VSU made a move to the bullpen as junior Anthony Dahl replaced Blankenship.  A sacrifice fly plated the fifth run of the game for the Argos with two out. The fourth walk of the inning loaded the bases, once again for UWF.  Dahl got out of the inning with a huge strikeout as UWF left the bags full for the second time in the game.
 
VSU tied the game in the bottom of the sixth as Hathcock scored on a wild pitch for a 5-5 game.  In the seventh, VSU had two on and one at third with two out, but was unable to score. 
 
In the eighth, Matt Sullivan belted his sixth home run of the season for a 6-5 lead with two out.  In the bottom of the frame, Hathcock walked to begin the inning, but a fielder's choice, caught stealing and a fly out ended the threat.  VSU went down in order in the bottom of the ninth.
 
VSU outhit the Argos 11-7, but left 10 stranded in the game.  Broughton was 3 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored, while Hathcock was 2 for 4 with two runs scored.  Dahl (2-2) took the loss in 2.2 innings, allowing one hit, one earned run, walked two and fanned three.  VSU struck out nine and walked six in the game. 
 
The Argos were led by Sullivan who was 2 for 4 with a run scored, a home run and two RBI.  Josh Pahlad (1-1) earned the win in 1.1 innings, allowing one hit and walked one.  Daniel Floyd pitched the final two innings, walking one and fanning two.  VSU recorded just one hit over the last 3.1 innings of the game as it had 10 hits through the first 5.2 innings. 
 
#16 West Florida 9, Valdosta State 1 (Game Two)
 
In the nightcap VSU junior starter Cooper Cain got two quick outs in the first inning, but three walks and an error plated two runs for a 2-0 lead.  In the bottom of the first, Hathcock began the frame with a single down the line and a walk moved him to second.  A double steal and a hit batsmen loaded the bases.  Junior Logan Stephens drew a walk for a 2-1 score, but VSU hit into an inning-ending double play to end the threat.
 
UWF returned the favor with a bases loaded walk in the top of the third for a 3-1 score as VSU had a runner at second in the bottom of the inning, but was unable to score.
 
Junior Alex Tyson replaced Cain in the fourth and, with two away one again, UWF plated a run with a RBI single down the left field line for a 4-1 lead after Sullivan began the frame with a single to left.  The Blazers put two more on in the bottom of the fourth, but were unable to bring anyone around. 
 
UWF plated five runs in the top of the seventh as VSU committed five errors for the game with the Argos winning the nightcap, 9-1. 
 
Cain fell to 2-3 on the year as he went three innings, allowing one hit, three runs – two earned, walked six and fanned one.  The Blazers had just three hits in the game and committed five errors in the game with eight walks and three strikeouts.
 
UWF had nine runs on eight hits as the Argos had three players with two hits each.  Sullivan was 2 for 4 with two runs scored, while Robert Lopez went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and three RBI.  Tony Rossi (4-2) went the distance, allowing three hits, one earned run, walked five and fanned two. 
 
VSU and the Argos will conclude the series Sunday at 1 p.m. at Billy Grant Field at Tommy Thomas Park.  Links to live stats and video streaming can be found at vstateblazers.com on the baseball schedule page.