MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The Valdosta State Blazer baseball rally fell just short on Friday evening, as they dropped game one of the three-game series versus the Falcons of Montevallo, 7-6. The Blazers dropped to 14-12 (8-8 GSC) while the Falcons improved to 21-12 (12-4 GSC) and have now won eight straight Gulf South Conference games this season.
 
Trailing by four runs in the top of the eighth, Valdosta State was able to muster together a run in the top of the eighth and two in the top of the ninth to make it a one-run game and bring the tying run to the plate on multiple occasions but were never able to tie it up.
 
Sophomore Dennis Pierce hit his team-leading seventh homer on the season as he blasted a three-run shot in the top of the third inning to keep the Blazers in the game. Aside from Pierce, senior catcher Jacob Harper hit his first home run of the season to try and ignite a Blazer rally.
 
Redshirt junior Zac Dodson got his seventh start of the season on Friday, and he went 6.2 innings and allowed seven runs but only four of them being earned due to four Valdosta State errors on the night. Across those 6.2 innings, Dodson fanned six Falcons while only allowing five hits on 102 pitches.
 
The Falcons scored two runs in the first on an error by the Blazer shortstop to put them up 2-0 early on. In the bottom of the second, Connor Crowson hit a two-run homer to double the lead as they were up 4-0 through two innings of play.
 
After back-to-back singles from junior Cole Steinmetz and junior Pedro Moreno, left fielder Dennis Pierce launched a ball into left to bring home three and make it a one run game, trailing 4-3 through three.
 
The next three innings went quickly as both pitchers were locked in and setting down the bats in order. In the bottom of the seventh, Montevallo scored their third unearned run of the night on an error by the Valdosta State third baseman to make it 5-3. They weren't done there, as head coach Greg Guilliams went to his bullpen to bring in junior southpaw Ryan Brown, who was immediately jumped on for a double to plate two more as the Falcons led 7-3 through seven.
 
In the top of the eighth, UM gifted VSU a run on a miscue that led to sophomore DJ Banks scoring to steal back a run as they now trailed 7-4 through eight innings. In the top of the ninth, a one out single by junior Jovanni Canegitta brought up catcher Jacob Harper, who was able to muscle his first homer of the year into left to make it a one run game with one out. The next two Blazers couldn't get the bat off their shoulders as Valdosta State dropped game one, 7-6.
 
Tomorrow will consist of a doubleheader, as the first pitch will be at 1 p.m. ET.