HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Valdosta State baseball team dropped the opening doubleheader at Alabama Huntsville Saturday afternoon, 7-6 and 9-5.  UAH used a walk-off double in the opener and had an eight-run fourth inning in the nightcap for the sweep.
 
The Blazers (14-15, 4-9 GSC) got things going in the first inning of the opener with a RBI triple from junior Jowenrick Daantji for a 1-0 lead and then took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on a sacrifice fly from senior Aaron Williamson, plating senior DJ King as he reached earlier in the frame on an error. 
 
In the bottom of the inning, UAH (16-11, 7-6 GSC) plated five runs on six hits with two costly VSU mistakes and added another run in the fifth for a 6-2 lead.  VSU fought valiantly to come back in the eighth, tying the game with four runs on three hits with one error, but left the bags full.  In the eighth, Daantji began the frame with his first home run as a Blazer and error plated a run, a hit batsman and a bases loaded walk plated two more runs for 6-6 score.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, a single up the middle on a 0-2 count, followed by a sacrifice bunt moved the Chargers into scoring position.  A RBI double to right center by Tyler McCown plated the game winner in walk-off fashion.
 
VSU had six runs on seven hits with three errors leading to one crucial run as freshman Heston Mosely gave up the winning hit in the bottom of the ninth for his first loss (0-1).  He went 2.1 innings, allowing two hits, one earned run and fanned three.  Daantji went 2 for 5 with a run scored and two RBI. 
 
McCown's lone hit was the winner for the Chargers.  VSU junior Jonathan Gettys went 3.1 innings in the start, allowing six hits, five runs – four earned, walked two and fanned six as VSU fanned UAH ten times in the game to just two walks.  VSU left eight on base to the Chargers' five men stranded.  Six different Chargers each had one RBI in the game, while six UAH players scored runs in the opener.
 
In the nightcap, VSU took the lead first, once again, as it plated three runs in the third inning as Williamson began the frame with a solo home run and a sacrifice bunt from Daantji scored the second run, followed by a King single up the middle for a 3-0 lead.
 
UAH responded with one run in the bottom of the inning, but plated eight runs in the fourth, helped out by two VSU miscues leading to three unearned runs for a 9-3 lead.  The Blazers then began their comeback in the fifth with a single run on a hit from junior Logan Stephens, but VSU left two stranded.  In the sixth, Daantji continued his outstanding day with a double down the line for a run and in the seventh, VSU loaded the bases with two out on a hit batsmen and a pair of walks, but Dylan Murphy got a strikeout to end the game as the tying run was at the plate. 
 
For the game, VSU had five runs on nine hits with the two costly miscues, while UAH had nine runs on seven hits.  The Blazers left ten on base, while UAH stranded seven.  Daantji went 2 for 2 with one run scored and two RBI in the game to lead the team.  Junior Cooper Cain (2-4) took the loss in 3.1 innings, allowing three hits, six runs – five earned, walked two and fanned four, while junior Sean Gabel gave up three unearned runs on two hits with one walk and one strikeout in 0.1 innings. 
 
The teams conclude the series Sunday with a single game beginning at 2 p.m. ET.  Check back with vstateblazers.com for links to live stats and streaming.