OXFORD, Ala. –  The Valdosta State baseball came out on fire Saturday with a 14-4, run-rule victory over Mississippi College in the first elimination game of the day in the 2019 Gulf South Conference Baseball Championship at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala.
 
The Blazers (28-20), who struggled yesterday in a 10-0 run-rule loss to Delta State, showed no ill effects Saturday as they recorded 14 runs on 17 hits in the game, while Mississippi College (28-17) had four runs on five hits with an error.  VSU entered the conference tournament at No. 7 in the second NCAA South Regional, while Mississippi College was sixth in the regional ranking and went 0-2 in the conference tournament. 
 
VSU senior Josh Broughton went 3 for 5 with a run scored and a game-high five RBI, while junior Jowenrick Daantji went 3 for 5 with two runs scored and three RBI.  Senior DJ King was 2 for 4 with two RBI, two runs scored and a home run.  Blazer junior hurler Zach Blankenship went five innings, allowing three hits, four earned runs, walked one and fanned two to improve to 7-2 on the year.  Junior Sean Gabel pitched the final two innings of the run-rule victory. 
 
The Blazers took command in the bottom of the third inning as they plated six runs on seven hits with one error in the frame by the Choctaws.  Junior Mike Christopoulos began the frame with a single to right and junior Jordan Holt beat out a bunt, while a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third.  Daantji belted a single to right, plating both scores as he advanced to second on a throwing error, while Broughon singled home a run and King blasted his second home run of the season for a 5-0 lead.  Senior Aaron Williamson then hit a solo home run for his fourth round-tripper of the season and a 6-0 score. 
 
The Choctaws used a solo home run from Chauncey Callier in the top of the fifth for a 6-1 score, but the Blazers pushed the lead back to six as junior Aaron Haughton struck out swinging and King scored for a 7-1 score. 
 
In the sixth, MC plated three runs cutting the deficit to 7-4, highlighted by a Dylan Duplechain two RBI triple and he then scored on a wild pitch.  The Blazers then countered with two runs in the bottom of the inning for a 9-4 score as Broughton continued his outstanding day with a two RBI single to third base. 
 
VSU needed five runs for the run-rule in the bottom of the seventh and that's exactly what it got as Holt singled to left with the bases loaded and senior Mack Hathcock walked with the bags full, while Daantji singled home a run and Broughton singled home two more for the 14-4 win. 
 
For the Choctaws, Duplechain went 1 for 4 with a run scored and two RBI, while Callier was 1 for 3 with a run scored and a RBI, including the home run.  Zack Ingram (6-4) took the loss as he went 2.2 innings, allowing nine hits, six earned runs and fanned one. 
 
VSU now will face the loser of Alabama Huntsville vs. West Florida Sunday at approximately 2 p.m. ET.  Chris Caray will have coverage of the game on 92.1 WDDQ FM.  Fans can access links to live stats and audio/video streaming at vstateblazers.com on the baseball schedule page.