JACKSON, Tenn. – The Valdosta State Blazers and Union Bulldogs split the first day of GSC baseball on Friday afternoon, as VSU took game one 7-3 before UU scraped by in game two by a 2-1 final. The Blazers are looking to win their first series of the year tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET in the rubber match.
 
The starting pitching for Valdosta State was amazing to say the least, as starter Zac Dodson went 6.2 innings of work and allowed three runs (one earned) while giving up five hits and walking three batters while fanning two for his first win of the year. In game two, Hunter Booth went six strong innings and allowed two runs (one earned) while striking out seven and also surrendering give hits while walking one while suffering the loss.
 
At the plate in game one, senior Pedro Moreno went 2-2 in the game with three walks while driving in three and scoring two runs while also picking up a stolen base. DJ Banks went 2-6 while driving three as he now leads the team in RBI for the 2025 season. Playing first base, Andres Natera was 2-4 with a run scored as he left a total of four runners on base.
 
GAME ONE:
Valdosta State – 7
Union - 3
Leadoff hitter Pedro Moreno drew the count full before taking a leadoff walk to start the weekend. Moreno then stole second and advanced to third with no one out for DJ Banks who reached on an error by the shortstop to bring Moreno home and give the Blazers a 1-0 lead. Zac Dodson got the call for game one, as the righty started off the bottom of the first with a perfect 1-2-3 inning as he was locked in.
 
Back to back singles from Andres Natera and Marcos Sevillano had VSU threatening once again against UU ace Eli Snelson. After a weaker grounder from Easton Hood advanced runners to second and third, Will Beckham would then proceed to rifle a ball into the left field corner to bring home two more for the Blazers. Moreno would do the same thing, and he traded placed with Beckham to grow the lead to 5-0. After yet another error by the Union shortstop, Moreno scored as it was 5-0 Valdosta State through two.
 
Dodson would continue to roll all afternoon, as he didn't allow his first run until the bottom of the fifth as the Blazers were leading 6-1 through five. After allowing a run in the bottom of the sixth and seventh, head coach Jan Weisberg went to the bullpen and brought in Anthony Martens with runners at second and third with two away in the bottom of the sixth. Martens would escape the jam and roll the rest of the way as he finished with a line of 2.1 IP with two hits allowed and one strikeout as VSU took game one.
 
GAME TWO:
Valdosta State – 1
Union - 2
 
Pedro Moreno was led things off with his third hit of the afternoon in game two before a double play ended and VSU hope in the top half. Starter Hunter Booth ran into trouble in the bottom of the first, as a single followed by a bunt hit plus throwing error placed runners at second and third with no one out. After a long battle, Booth would get Grant Ross swinging on a 2-2 count to retire the first batter. Union would open the scoring with a soft dribbler up the middle that resulted in an infield single. A 4-6 fielder's choice would plate another as the Bulldogs led 2-0 after one.
 
Valdosta State would get on the board in the top of the second on a leadoff single from Orlando Pena as he came around to score on yet another error from the Bulldog shortstop. Booth started to settle in the bottom of the second as the only batter reached on an infield hit before Booth left the Bulldog batter looking to keep the score at 2-1.
 
After Valdosta State went down in order in the top of the third, Booth was able to get out of a bases loaded jam following a drop third strike on a short dribbler to Banks at second who made a tough throw to save Booth and Blazers through three.
 
Despite not tallying his first strikeout until the top of the fifth, Union starter Elijah Ramsey was dealing. The southpaw was through five innings of ball with two hits allowed, one walk, and one strikeout while allowing one unearned run as the Bulldogs were leading 2-1.
 
With five outs left in the game, DJ Banks doubled to right with one gone in the top of the sixth as the Blazers were looking to tie things up. Banks was caught stealing the very next pitch as the gamble didn't work out for the second out. Canegitta would go down swinging as VSU was down to their final three outs.
 
In the top of the seventh, Union head coach Casey McGhee went to lefty Brian Bazydlo to try and close Valdosta State would. On a 2-2 count, Hunter Stowe was hit by the pitch as Henry Alfonso came in to pinch run. After stumbling on an advance to second after the second pitch, Alfonso was tagged out in a run down for the first out. Pena was sat down looking for out number two as Andres Nater was the last hope for the Blazers, as he grounded out for the third and final out.