DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Two singles to begin the bottom of the 11
th inning for Embry-Riddle led to a walk-off RBI single to right field for Max Law, as the Eagles spoiled Valdosta State's bid for a series sweep Saturday afternoon.
VSU won two of three games in the series, but struggled offensively on Saturday and left ten on base in the game. Junior
Zach Henderson (0-1) took the loss for the Blazers, while Joe Balsam (1-0) earned the victory for the Eagles. Henderson pitched the final two innings, allowing three hits, one earned run and fanned three in eight batters faced. Balsam pitched the final three innings, walking one and fanning one in nine batters.
The Blazers had five hits in the game as graduate student
Mike Christopoulos went 2 for 5 to lead the team. Junior
Bryson Gandy, senior
Jisjar Clotida and junior Ralph Morla, Jr., each had hits. Junior
Kevin Tomas went five innings of three-hit baseball with one strikeout and junior Brand Raiden pitched three innings, scattering two hits and fanning two. Junior
Luke Ard walked one batter as VSU fanned six Eagles with just one walk for the game.
ERAU starter Connor Dunnam went 5.2 innings of two hit baseball as he walked two and fanned five. The Eagles had eight hits in the contest as Law was 3 of 5 with the RBI winner. Alex Britton went 2 for 4 and scored the winning run.
VSU had its chances throughout, leaving runners stranded in each of the first three innings and four of five. The Blazers left the bags full in the sixth as senior
EJ Doskow earned a two out walk and Gandy singled up the middle. Christopoulos singled through the right side, but Dunnam came up with a ground out to get out of the jam. The Blazers left two more on in the seventh and one in the eighth.
The Blazers continue on the road next week as they head to Nova Southeastern (Feb. 11), Barry (Feb. 12) and Lynn (Feb. 13), before opening the 2022 home slate on Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. at Billy Grant Field at Tommy Thomas Park against Saint Leo.
Check back with vstateblazers.com throughout the season for more information on Blazer baseball.