SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Valdosta State baseball team battled back from a 3-0 deficit with four runs over the final four innings, including two in the top of the ninth, for a thrilling 4-3 win at Saint Leo on Tuesday evening.  The Blazers improved to 5-3 on the year and return to conference play at Auburn Montgomery Friday evening, beginning a three-game series.

Trailing 3-2 heading into their final at bat, the Blazers got things going with a walk to senior Mike Christopoulos and senior pinch-runner Jordan Holt stole second to get into scoring position.  Junior Jisjar Clotida reached on a critical error by the Lions and Holt scored for a 3-3 score.  

Saint Leo (1-8) pulled reliever Nick Jennings in favor of Yazael Nunez, who walked a batter and got the second out via strikeout.  With two out and a tie game, senior Nick Lewis came up with a RBI single through the left side, plating Clotida for a 4-3 score.  

In the bottom of the ninth, senior Alec Aleywine (1-0) struck out the side for the win.

VSU tallied four runs on ten hits with one error, as Lewis was 2 for 5 with two RBI and a double, while senior Jowenrick Daantji was 2 for 5 with two runs scored and Aleywine was 2 for 4 from the plate.  Junior Ryan DelNegro, who had a single in the ninth also, finished 2 for 4.  

The Lions had three runs on six hits with two errors and the last one being very costly.  Brett Esau went 2 for 3 with a run scored, a RBI and a home run.  The teams are scheduled to play in Valdosta on April 7 to conclude the season series.

SLU jumped out in front in the first inning as Amir Wright began the game with a double down the line and a sacrifice bunt moved him to third.  A RBI ground out plated the first run, followed later in the frame with Esau's blast to left for a 2-0 lead.

The Blazers put two on the second, helped out by an error, but were unable to score off SLU starter Jeremy Peel with the bases loaded, hitting into an inning-ending double play.  The Lions then added a run in the fourth for a 3-0 lead as James McCallum hit a home run down the right field line.  

VSU struck pay dirt in the sixth with a run as Daantji began the inning with single on a bunt.  Aleywine followed with a base knock and senior David Maberry's fielder's choice scored Daantji for a 3-1 score.

Junior Weston Bizzle relieved senior Alex Tyson for the sixth and got out of a jam with the Lions leaving a man at third.  

The Blazers then pulled within 3-2 in the eighth as Lewis doubled to right center, plating Daantji, chasing Peel from the game.

VSU junior Jeremy Adams began the game on the hill, going two innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs, while Tyson Bizzle and Aleywine combined for the final seven innings, allowing just three hits, one earned run, walked five and fanned nine, including six by Aleywine.  

Peel went 7.1 innings for the Lions, allowing eight hits, two earned runs and three strikeouts.  Jennings (0-2) took the loss in one inning, on one hit, two runs - one earned, walked one and fanned two.  

The Blazers and AUM begin the series Friday evening at 7 p.m. ET with a single game, followed by a doubleheader Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.  VSU returns home to host Georgia Southwestern on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 5 p.m at Billy Grant Field at Tommy Thomas Park.