VALDOSTA, Ga. – After sweeping a Gulf South Conference-opening doubleheader from Mississippi College on Saturday, the Valdosta State baseball team was unable to cap the weekend with a sweep as the Choctaws used the long ball for a 12-5 victory Sunday afternoon. 
 
The Blazers (7-3, 2-1 GSC) finished with five runs on nine hits and two errors, while MC (3-8, 1-2 GSC) scored 12 runs on eight hits and one error, hitting four home runs in the game, including a stretch of back-to-back-to-back jacks in the fifth.
 
Blazer graduate student Jeremy Adams (0-2) took the loss on the mound, going 3.2 innings, allowing four hits, six earned runs, walked two and fanned three.  Sophomore Jovanni Canegitta was the lone Blazer with a multi-hit game, going 2 for 3 with a run scored. 
 
For the Choctaws, JT Vance went 3 for 5 from the dish with two home runs, five RBI and two runs scored.  Choctaw relief pitcher Austin Higgins (2-0) earned the win, going three innings, allowing three hits, two earned, runs and fanned one.
 
Adams retired the first two Choctaws with ease, but Caleb Reese singled through the left side and then stole second.  On a 2-2 count, Vance drilled a two run shot to left center for a 2-0 MC lead.  It was Vance's second home run of the series as he had one in the opener Saturday.  He finished with three home runs in the series. 
 
The Blazers used a hit batsman to graduate student Nick Gonzalez and a single up the middle with two out for runners at second and third in the bottom of the first.  MC was able to get the third out on a ground out to second base.  Adams came up with a huge strikeout looking in the top of the second on a 3-2 count with two out getting out of the inning as MC had a runner at second. 
 
In the bottom of the second, VSU used a single and a walk for runners at first and second with one away and a hit batsmen loaded the bases for the Blazers.  The Choctaws went to the bullpen in favor of Carson Turner, replacing starter Cooper Gadman.  Junior David Crawford hit a sacrifice fly to left, plating the first run of the game for the Blazers.  A walk to Gonzalez loaded the bases once again.  With the shift on for the Choctaws, VSU hit right into it as MC got out of the inning without further damage. 
 
Two hit batsmen and a foul out began the top of the fourth for the Choctaws.  Adams got the second out of the inning via fly out to center for runners at the corners.  A walk loaded the bases for the top of the order.  Bridley Thomas singled to left, plating two runs for a 4-1 score and chasing Adams from the game.  Senior Marvin De La Hoz relieved Adams.  A walk loaded the bases once again as De La Hoz began with seven balls in his first eight pitches.  Another walk made the score 5-1 as VSU went to the bullpen for the second time in the inning for sophomore JJ Finn. On a 3-2 count, Vance singled up the middle plating two runs and an error plated the third run for an 8-1 score as MC batted around in the frame.  After a hit batsmen, VSU went to the bullpen again for sophomore Jason Norris.  Norris got out of the inning with a foul out behind the plate as MC scored six runs in the inning. Norris pitched the rest of the way, going 5.1 innings, allowing three hits, four earned runs, walked two and fanned three earning Guardian Bank Blazer Player of the Game honors.
 
VSU used a single to left from sophomore Daniel Lavoy and senior David Crawford was plunked by a pitch.  Graduate student JP Gates reached on an error by the second baseman, plating a run.   MC then hit back-to-back-to-back jacks with two out for a 12-2 score in the top of the fifth. The Blazers used a double from Canegitta and he scored on a sacrifice fly from junior Preston Joye for a 12-3 deficit in the bottom of the inning. 
 
The Blazers added a run on an RBI single from sophomore Trent Lewis in the bottom of the seventh for a 12-4 score.  Freshman Raynel Ortiz singled home a run in the bottom of the ninth with two out for a 12-5 final score.
 
The Blazers head on the road for eight-straight games, beginning Tuesday with a 5 p.m. first pitch at Saint Leo.  Fans can access links to live stats, streaming, ticket information and more at vstateblazers.com on the baseball schedule page.  VSU then will return home to host Georgia College on Mar. 7 at 5 p.m. at Billy Grant Field at Tommy Thomas Park.