VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State Blazer baseball team jumped out ahead early, as a 10-run first inning ignited Valdosta State to a 18-1 seven inning game versus the second place Delta State Statesmen. The Blazers ended the Statesmen's eight-game winning streak as VSU improved to 21-13 (13-9 GSC) while DSU dropped to 24-15 (15-7 GSC).
 
Everyone that stepped on the field produced for the Blazers, as redshirt junior Zac Dodson anchored VSU as he pitched a complete game. His final stat line was seven innings, three hits, two walks, four strikeouts, and one earned run on 98 pitches. The offense backed up Dodson's gem, as Valdosta State erupted for 19 hits and were led by sophomore Dennis Pierce, who went 4-5 with a home run, a double, two singles, and five driven in. First baseman Owen Lawn was hot as well, going 3-4 with three RBIs and his fourth homer on the year. Second baseman Ryan Romano continued to hit for VSU, as he went 4-5 with four runs scored and raised his season average to .441 after today's performance.
 
Redshirt junior Zac Dodson got the nod on Friday night, and he started things off in the top half with two straight outs before stranding a Statesman at first heading into the bottom of the frame. A bloop single from junior Pedro Moreno had the leadoff hitter one for senior Ryan Romano, who followed suit with a blooper to left to put runners on first and second with no one out. After taking the first pitch, sophomore Dennis Pierce ripped a ball up the middle just past the diving shortstop to put VSU up 1-0 early. Junior Jovanni Canegitta keep the order rolling with another base hit to bring home Romano to double the lead to 2-0. After a 10-pitch at bat, Hunter Stowe laced a double into the corner to bring home two more. Senior Jacob Harper got the sixth straight hit to start the game to bring home junior Hunter Stowe and run the DSU starter out of the game without recording an out with VSU leading 5-0. The new arm proved to be no help to Delta State, as graduate student Owen Lawn lifted a ball over the right field fence with the help of the wind as the Blazers were up 7-0 without anyone being retired. Senior David Crawford and Pedro Moreno both drew walks to put runners at first and second as VSU was threatening for more runs. A double steal and an infield single from Romano made it 8-0 Valdosta State. A hit and run followed by a double steal brought a tenth and final run for the first inning. As Valdosta State was leading 10-0 after one inning.
 
Two errors in the top of the second had the Statesmen threatening, but a 4-6-3 double play neutralized that threat. In the bottom half, the Blazers kept pouring it on as the wind helped Owen Lawn once again with a ball over the right fielder's head to put runners at the corners with no one out, a fielder's choice brought home another as it was 11-0 through two.
 
With one out and a 2-2 count to Dennis Pierce, Delta State's pitcher threw a mistake pitch to Pierce, and he took advantage, launching his tenth homer of the year to dead center to grow the lead to a dozen in the bottom of the third.
 
The Statesmen scored a run in the top of the fifth on a leadoff double that was caught up in the wind. The Blazers were still leading 12-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth. A sacrifice fly by Jacob Harper followed by a single into left center by Owen Lawn brought home another to make it 14-1 VSU through five.
 
Zac Dodson kept rolling, as he retired the side in order in the top half of the sixth and finished with a nasty off-speed to send the Statesmen packing through five and a half innings. Sophomore DJ Banks opened the bottom frame with a single to left. After a liner to third baseman by Moreno, second baseman Ryan Romano looked to provide insurance. A Romano's fourth hit of the day put runners at first and second for Dennis Pierce, who continued his monster day as he smacked a double into the left field corner for his fourth hit of the day and fourth and fifth RBI's as it was now 16-1. VSU put up two more runners in the bottom of the frame before Dodson took the mound for the complete game.
 
In the top of the seventh, head coach Greg Guilliams stuck with his starter, and Zac Dodson ran into trouble to start the final frame, as a single, walk, and hit by pitch had the bases juiced. Dodson didn't waver, as he forced a pop out, struck a batter out, and forced one final pop out to Romano on second to secure the 18-1 run-rule victory of the second place Delta State Statesmen.
Games and two and three will be tomorrow, as game one will be at 1 p.m. with game two to follow shortly after.