VALDOSTA, Ga. -  The Valdosta State Blazers dominated the Thomas University Night Hawks at Billy Grant Field on Tuesday night, clipping the Night Hawks 12-1 in seven innings.
 
Patience was the name of the game for VSU, as they walked eight times and were hit by five pitches to equal 13 free passes in just seven innings of play. Junior shortstop Pedro Moreno was effective at the top of the order, reaching base three times in three AB's, scoring twice, and driving in three. Valdosta State used five arms in the victory, as they used the same strategy in last week's win over Albany State to keep everyone fresh.
 
Things started quickly, as a walk, a steal, and an error had leadoff hitter Kason Buie on third with one out to start the game. The next batter smoked a ball to right field that was just out of reach for junior outfield Jovanni Canegitta to put Thomas on the board. Head coach Greg Guilliams made a quick decision to his bullpen, pulling junior Keaton Fuller after 0.1 innings pitched, allowing one run.
 
The Blazers fought back in the bottom of the first frame. Pedro Moreno was hit on the very first pitch, which them prompted him to steal second to put the tying run in scoring position early, a little dribbler down the third base line for senior Ryan Romano had runners at the corner with no one out. A walk drawn by the slugging sophomore Dennis Pierce had the bases juiced for junior Hunter Stowe, who smoked the ball past Thomas' shortstop to put Valdosta State on the board with trouble brewing. A shallow flyout from Canegitta brought up sophomore DJ Banks, who battled and drew a walk to give VSU a 2-1 lead, in which they never gave up. A fielder's choice and a smoked ball up the middle from senior Jacob Harper had VSU leading 4-1 after one.
 
The bullpen was lights out for the Blazers, as they combined for 6.2 innings of work where they allowed one hit, struck out three, and allowed no free passes. Thomas on the other hand, was not as fortunate, as they kept walking VSU batters, as a free pass resulted in another Valdosta State run in the bottom of third as sophomore Marcos Sevillano smoked a double into right to bring home Canegitta and extend the lead to 5-1 through three.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, first baseman Dennis Pierce had another bases loaded opportunity, where he blasted on through the right side to bring home two more and grow the lead.
 
The bullpen kept dealing, retiring the Night Hawks with ease as their defense was making the right plays behind them to not cause any pressure.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, VSU was set up with yet another bases loaded situation, their fourth of the game. Pedro Moreno made them pay, lining a ball into right center and plating home three Blazers to extend the lead to 12-1 through six. A 1-2-3 top of the seventh sent Thomas University packing, as Valdosta State clipped the Night Hawks 12-1 on Tuesday night.
 
The schedule for this weekend's game have changed, as Friday night's game versus Auburn Montgomery has been changed to a double header with the first game being at 3:00 p.m. The third game of the series will be played on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. All updates regarding to VSU baseball can be found on vstateblazers.com