DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Senior Bryson Gandy hit a two run, walk-off home run as Valdosta State upended Florida Tech Friday afternoon in the Gulf South Conference/Sunshine State Conference Clash at Embry-Riddle. 
 
Trailing 2-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Blazers used a one out single from junior Jovanni Canegitta to get the rally started and then a steal from sophomore pinch-runner Deven Tedders and a throwing error moved him to third.  Junior Jacob Harper tied the game with an infield RBI single and then Gandy took the first pitch he saw to right field for his first home run of the season and the sixth of his career for the winner.  
 
VSU (3-1) scored four runs on eight hits and one error, while Florida Tech (2-3) had two runs on seven hits and one error for the game.  Sophomore JJ Finn (1-1) earned the win in relief going 0.1 innings, while Ethan Stephens (0-1) took the loss in 1.1 innings, allowing three hits, three earned runs and walked one.  
 
The game began as a pitchers' duel as neither team mustered much offense early with just three combined base runners through the first five innings.  In the sixth, the offenses began to come alive as Florida Tech's Gabe Garrett singled up the middle and Sam Schner drove him home with a single through the right side on a 1-2 count.  Blazer redshirt sophomore Zach Dodson pitched 5.1 innings allowing four hits, one earned run and fanned four in his first start.  Freshman Anthony Martens relieved Dodson and got the second out of the frame on a fielder's choice and retired the Panthers with a pop out to end the threat.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, the Blazers used a leadoff single from Gandy and a sacrifice bunt.  With two away, graduate student Nick Gonzalez came up clutch with an RBI single to right center, plating Gandy for a 1-1 score.  VSU then had a great chance to blow the game open in the bottom of the seventh as it loaded the bases with two out.  Florida Tech relief pitcher Ridge Skakbek came up with a strikeout to end the threat leaving the bags full.  
 
The Panthers added their second run of the game in the eighth, helped out by a Blazer miscue as Garrett reached on a throwing error with one away.  Senior Zach Henderson relieved Martens as the Panthers strung together a fielder's choice for the first out, a walk and the RBI single plating Garrett.  Henderson came back with two huge strikeouts – one swinging and one looking as the Blazers got out of the jam with the bases loaded. 
 
Finn retired the final batter in the top of the ninth, before the last at bat heroics by the Blazers.
 
Gandy went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, a home run, a walk and two RBI, earning Guardian Bank Blazer Player of the Game honors.  Canegitta went 2 for 4, while Harper was 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI.  Florida Tech starter Mitch Harding went six innings to start the game, allowing two hits, one earned run and fanned four.  Henderson went 1.1 innings, allowing two hits, one walk and four strikeouts for the Blazers in relief.  VSU fanned nine Panthers in the game and walked just one.  
 
The Blazers now will turn their attention to Embry-Riddle, who defeated Auburn Montgomery 6-5 in the earlier game Friday.  Game time for Saturday's matchup with the Eagles now is at 10 a.m.  VSU will then play Florida Tech, once again, on Sunday with a first pitch set for 3 p.m.  
 
Check back with vstateblazers.com for links to live stats and streaming of the remaining games this weekend.