VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State Blazers (17-14, 11-6 GSC) host the Mississippi College Choctaws (22-9, 13-5 GSC) for a major series that will have serious postseason implications. Game one will be on Friday, Mar. 28 at 5 p.m. followed by games two and three on Saturday, Mar. 29 at 1 p.m. for a doubleheader.
 
The game can be streamed live on FloCollege or on the radio at Talk 92.1 with Bill Malone on the call for both platforms.
 
The Blazers won their fourth consecutive Tuesday game the other day in a 9-2 win over the Georgia College Bobcats for a season sweep. After Dewey Brock allowed a leadoff home run to open the game, he dialed back in and went four strong innings to propel the VSU arms. At the plate, Orlando Pena hit his league leading 12^th home run of the season as his strong year at the dish continued.
 
After starting out 10-2 in GSC play, Valdosta State has faltered a little bit as they have dropped two straight series to the hands of No. 8 Delta State and Montevallo last weekend. MC has won five in a row and are currently sitting in second place in the GSC while VSU is in fourth and sit a game and a half back of the Choctaws and Argonauts for second.
 
In his first year as head coach, Jan Weisberg has elevated the Blazer baseball program by demanding excellence both on and off the field. At the plate, VSU is hitting .301 at the plate which is first in the GSC and 67^th in the nation. They have slugged 32 home runs as a team and have scored a total of 230 runs which is also first in the conference. MC is not far behind, as they are hitting .290 and have scored a total 943 while launching 36 homers. As a pitching staff, the Blazers hold an ERA of 4.98 which is fourth in the GSC and have walked a total of 98 batters while holding them to a .269 batting average. The Choctaws hold a 4.37 ERA as a group and have walked 124 batters while opponents are hitting .272 against them.
 
Individually, Orlando Pena is slashing .336/.406/.735 and has slugged 12 home runs which is 11^th in the nation and is 12^th in RBI with 44 while starting in 30 games at the hot corner. Easton Hood has been a great addition to the lineup in 2025, as the outfielder is batting .354 with a 1.091 OPS while he is first in the league and 16^th in the nation in doubles with 12. While primarily batting second, DJ Banks is tied for the lead on the team in hits with 42 as he has reached base in all 31 games this season and is second on the team in RBI with 27 while playing second base. Pedro Moreno is tied for the lead in hits with 42 as the leadoff man is fourth in the GSC in runs scored at 36 while also being fourth in steals with 12. Zac Dodson has been a consistent Friday starter thus far as #37 is 3-5 with a 4.11 ERA and is first on the team in innings with 46.0 in eight starts. The senior has surrendered 49 hits on the year and has walked 13 batters while punching out 34. After going eight strong innings last Saturday, Hunter Booth looks to continue his strong campaign as he is 3-4 and has a 3.94 ERA while leading the team in strikeouts with 40 which is seventh in the GSC.
 
Mississippi College is led by head coach Jeremy Haworth who is in his 14^th season leading the Choctaws and holds a career record of 302-317-1. Haworth's team doesn't beat themselves, as they are first in the GSC in fielding percentage with a .976 clip and have turned 30 double plays which is third in the nation. Individually, slugger Bryce LaRocca earned NCBWA South Region Player of the Week along with GSC Player of the Week this past week as the outfielder went 8-15 at the plate and drove in 11 runs on four home runs while scoring seven times and drawing three walks. LaRocca is right behind Pena with ten home runs and 40 driven in as he has been on fire all season. The Choctaws don't have an ace per say but have a very deep pitching group as none of their consistent players have an ERA over 5.00. Korey Cooper leads MC in batting average as he has tallied 47 hits in 114 at-bats for a .412 batting average. He doesn't just hit for average as he has recorded seven home runs and nine doubles while driving in 36.
 
Following the weekend series, Valdosta State will hit the road as they play top-ranked Tampa on Tuesday, Apr. 1 at 5 p.m. followed by a weekend trip to Montgomery, Ala. to play Auburn Montgomery for a three game set.