VALDOSTA, Ga. – After trailing 10-2 heading to the bottom of the sixth, the Valdosta State Blazers would bring the score back to 10-8 with the tying run on second base, but failed to convert as they would drop the first game of the series to the Lee University Flames, 14-8. Valdosta State dropped to 22-17 overall and 16-8 in the GSC while Lee improved to 23-16 overall and 15-10 in the GSC. Lee outhit Valdosta State 14-13 while each team committed three errors.
 
Hunter Stowe launched his eighth home run of the season and was a mere three feet away from hitting his ninth as he went 1-3 with four RBI on the evening. DJ Banks went 3-5 at the plate and scored two times as he extended his on base streak to 39, which is the most by a Blazer since 2013. For Lee, right fielder Malachi Cloud went 3-5 at the plate and drove in five while launching his fifth home run of the season. One of the best hitters in the conference continued to hit as Luke Collier went 4-5 at the plate and scored three runs while batting second. On the mound, southpaw Cooper Casteel picked up his sixth win as he went 5.1 innings and allowed four runs while fanning six. Zac Dodson had a rough start as he went 2.2 innings and allowed seven earned runs to raise his ERA to 5.92 on the year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Things started with an 11 pitch battle as Lee leadoff man JJ Williams drew a walk off right hander Zac Dodson. Back to back hard hit singles put the Flames on the board as they were up 1-0 with no one away. Following a runner's interference for the first out, a double from Malachi Cloud put Lee up 3-0. After jumping ahead 1-2, Dodson allowed a two run home run to Josiah Miller as the Flames were dominating, up 5-0 early. Pedro Moreno singled in the bottom of the first and was quickly brought home as DJ Banks tripled into deep right center as a one hopper off the wall had Banks chugging into third headfirst. With one out, Hunter Stowe lifted a deep fly ball into centerfield as the sacrifice fly made it 5-2 after one inning of play.
 
The Flames were threatening in the top of the third as a single and walk with one out placed runners at first and second. After striking out a better to put two away, Dodson hit Josiah Miller with the pitched to load the bases in the top of the third. On a full count and 11th pitch at bat, Levi Cloud drew a walk as Lee extended the lead to 6-2. After running the count full yet again, Ashton Simmons singled to right to plate two more as it was 8-2 and Dodson's day was finished.
 
After the Flames put up a run in the top of the fifth and sixth, Orlando Pena opened the bottom of the sixth with a liner into left for the sixth Blazer hit of the evening. After jumping ahead in the count 2-1, Hunter Stowe took an elevated fastball to right for his eighth home run of the year as VSU still trailed 10-4. After Natera and Sevillano drew walks, Hood struck out as Cooper Casteel's night was finished through 5.1 innings. Hunter Lane entered in relief and retired the next two batters as Lee led 10-4 through six.
 
After a clean top of the seventh from Hayden Sottile in relief, Moreno and Banks both singled to right to bring up Orlando Pena, who laced another ball, this time up the middle as Moreno scored on a misplay from the center fielder as it was a five run game. With Hunter Stowe steeping up to the dish, he jumped on the first pitch he saw as he was a mere three feet away from hitting his second home run as a run scored on the sacrifice fly. Andres Natera singled to left after a battle as runners were at the corners with one away as VSU trailed 10-6. After Will Baker entered in relief and struck out the first batter he saw, Easton Hood singled into left as it was 10-7. With Farid Eljaiek hit a high chopper back to the pitcher at the mound, who tossed it low as a collision at first base plated yet another run as the tying run was at second base with two out as the score was at 10-8. Will Beckham would get sawed off on the final at bat of the inning as Valdosta State plated four runs as Lee led 10-8 after seven.
 
In the top of the eighth inning, Lee punched back hard with a three run shot with two down as they extended the lead to 13-8. After mustering a hit together in the eighth, an error from Lee wouldn't cost the flames as they escaped the jam while leading 13-8.
 
Valdosta State couldn't put together consecutive hits as they would drop game one, 14-8.
 
Blazers are back in action tomorrow at 1 p.m. as they need a sweep to win the series.