GSC Baseball Championship Page

VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State baseball team used an eight-run fourth inning en route to a 14-8 victory over visiting West Georgia Sunday on Senior Day to take the series, 2-1. 
 
The Blazers honored seven seniors prior to the game as the 2019 Senior Class included; Josh Broughton, DJ King, Mack Hathcock, Call Graham, Andrew Williamson, Trevin Eubanks and Judson George. 
 
VSU, who finished the regular season 27-19 and 14-12 in Gulf South Conference play, scored 14 runs on 18 hits with four errors, while UWG had eight runs on ten hits with one error.  The Blazers either will be the No. 5-seed or the No. 6-seed in the upcoming Gulf South Conference Championship, running from May 3-7 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala.  Depending on the outcome of the Alabama Huntsville vs. Montevallo game today determines what seed VSU is.  Check back with vstateblazers.com for more information on the GSC Championship. 
 
VSU junior Jowenrick Daantji made a great play on a dribbler to second for an out at home in the first inning, but Logan Taylor singled through the right side with two out for a RBI and a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
 
The Blazers tied the game in the bottom of the second as senior DJ King began the frame with a single to right center, followed by a single to right from junior Logan Stephens, moving King to third.  Junior Aaron Haughton singled through the left side for a RBI, plating King and a 1-1 score.  With two out in the top of the third, two walks came back to bite the Blazers as Joe Skinner singled to center for a RBI and a 2-1 lead for the Wolves. 
 
On a 3-2 count with runners at the corners for the Blazers in the bottom of the fourth, senior Andrew Williamson laced a triple to dead center field, plating two runs for a 3-2 VSU lead.  Williamson then scored on the second balk of the inning from UWG starter Ryan Parker for a 4-2 score.  Parker plunked two Blazers as he was relieved by Cory Bartholomew.  Senior Josh Broughton drew a walk for a RBI and a 5-2 score as the Blazers batted around in the frame.  A two run error made the score 7-2 as senior DJ King reached on the miscue.  Junior Logan Stephens doubled to right for a 9-2 score as VSU scored eight runs in the inning. 
 
VSU starter Cooper Cain opened the fifth, allowing a single and a fielder's choice error and walk loaded the bases with nobody out.  The Blazers went to the bullpen in favor of junior Alex Tyson.  VSU turned the 543 double play as one run scored for a 9-3 score.  After a walk and wild pitch on the free pass for Williamson, a sacrifice bunt followed and a sacrifice fly plated Williamson pushing the lead back to seven at 10-3 in the bottom of the fifth.  Daantji doubled down the left field line for a RBI and an 11-3 lead. 
 
Pinch-hitter Dylan Johnson singled through the left side for a RBI in the top of the sixth for the Wolves.  Poskey followed with a RBI single to center, cutting the deficit to 11-5.  VSU added two more runs in the seventh on a Broughton two RBI triple for a 13-5 score.
 
UWG's  (26-23, 15-14 GSC) Brian Dansereau singled home a run in the top of the ninth for a 14-8 score as VSU went to the bullpen in favor of Broughton. 
 
Broughton finished the game 1 of 4 with a run scored and three RBI, while Stephens was 3 for 5 with a run scored and two RBI.  Williamson was 1 for 3 with two runs scored and two RBI.  Tyson (2-0) took the win, going four innings of relief, allowing six hits, five runs – three earned, walked one and fanned one.  Junior Cooper Cain went the first four innings allowing four hits, three runs – two earned, walked five and fanned four.