VALDOSTA, Ga. – VSU second baseman DJ Banks recorded a career high five RBI and was a triple shy of the cycle as the Valdosta State Blazers pounded their way to a 11-1 victory over the Mississippi College Choctaws on Friday night.
 
With the win, VSU moved half a game back from second place as they improved to 18-14 overall and 12-6 in league play while MC dropped to 22-10 overall and 13-6 in GSC play heading into the rest of the weekend.
 
Valdosta State took a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth as Banks hit his second home run of the year on a full count with runners on second and third with two gone as the team needed a jolt in this colossal matchup. Two innings later, VSU would bat around as they put up a six spot in the inning thanks to patience at the plate with the team drawing a total of nine walks in eight innings.
 
DJ's counterpart Orlando Pena had himself another strong evening as the third baseman nuked his league leading 13^th home run of the season and drove in three for a total of 47 RBI on the year as he continued to sit atop the GSC throne. On the mound, starting pitcher Zac Dodson picked up his fourth win as he went 6.0 innings on 90 pitches as he allowed a total of four hits for one run as he would go on to fan five for the night.
 
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Zac Dodson allowed a single to Choctaw slugger Bryce LaRocca in the top of the first, who advanced to second on a wild pitch with one out. DJ Banks saved a run as he laid out for a ball to second as the Choctaws were left scoreless in the top of the first. Pedro Moreno walked to open the bottom half, but a double play made things look bleak. VSU had life, as Marcos Sevillano drew a walk before Orlando Pena was plunked to put two on until a grounder to short ended the threat.
 
After a perfect 1-2-3 top of the second from Zac Dodson, the first two batters reached base after Easton Hood singled followed by a walk from Cole Steinmetz, but two straight line drives to the outfielders followed by a groundout ended the VSU threat yet again as the score remained 0-0 through two.
 
Following a one out double from JT Vance in the top of the fourth, shortstop Logan Shurden singled into right field to plate Vance and give the Choctaws a 1-0 lead heading to the bottom of the fourth. After recording two quick outs, MC starter Holland Townes walked three straight Blazers as Farid Eljaiek would score on a wild pitch to tie things at 1-1. On a full count with runners on second and third, DJ Banks launched a three run home run into left to take a 4-1 lead. Marcos Sevillano would single up the middle to run the starter out of the game as VSU jumped ahead 4-1 through four.
 
Zac Dodson continued to dazzle, as he was through six innings of four hit ball one 90 pitches while striking out five as he maintained the 4-1 lead. In the bottom of the sixth. Cole Steinmetz singled up the gut against the lefty reliever before back to back beautiful bunts from Eljaiek and Beckham put ducks on the pond as the order turned over for a fourth time. Pedro Moreno would draw a walk to bring home Steinmetz as the lead grew to 5-1 with no one away. DJ Banks stayed hot with a slicing double into left center as two Blazers crossed the plate with the lead growing to six as the barrage was on with no one out. After a new arm was brought into the game, Sevillano drew a six pitch walk to load the bases yet again. Down in the count 1-2, Orlando Pena singled past the diving third baseman as two more scored as the lead ballooned to 9-1. VSU had batted around as Steinmetz stepped up with his second hit of the inning to bring around Sevillano with the lead at 10-1 through six innings.
 
Trent Lewis entered in relief for Dodson in the top of the seventh and ran into a pickle as the bases were loaded with one out. Following an ejection of a VSU coach, Lewis rolled a perfect 4-6-3 double play as the dugout erupted with the 10-1 lead intact.
 
Leading off the bottom of the eighth inning, Blazer slugger Orlando Pena lifted a high fly ball into left field for a home run as VSU walked off MC in a 11-1 run rule win.
 
Game two will start tomorrow at 1 p.m. with game three to follow shortly after as Valdosta State looks to take the series of Mississippi College.