MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Valdosta State Blazers clinched a spot in the GSC Championship with a doubleheader sweep of the Christian Brothers Buccaneers on Friday afternoon, winning the first game 21-11 before taking game two, 4-2. VSU improved to 27-17 on the year and 20-8 in the GSC while CBU dropped to 15-27 and 5-24 in the GSC.
 
The Blazers scored a season high 21 runs in game one, as Hunter Stowe went 3-5 at the plate while driving in a season high five on two doubles and three runs scored. At the leadoff spot, Pedro Moreno went 3-6 with four runs scored as he did his job to put the pressure on the Bucs arms as he also stole a base. Orlando Pena kept on driving in runs as he went 2-4 at the plate with four runs scored as he also drove in four including his league leading 18^th home run of the season. Coming off the bench in the second inning, Raynel Ortiz went 3-4 with three RBI including his second career home run as he was a major spark off the Blazer bench. On the mound, Zac Dodson was able to work through five tough innings as he would allow six earned runs but would end up picking up the win for his fifth of the season. Keaton Fuller logged 1.1 innings and fanned three batters while not allowing a walk or hit.
 
In game two, it was Hunter Booth picking up his seventh win of the season as he went 6.0 innings and allowed two earned runs on eight hits while fanning five as he did what he was supposed to do. In the shortened seven inning game, Ryan Brown came in and picked up his sixth save of the season as he whizzed through the three batters he saw while ending the night on a strikeout looking. Hunter Stowe stayed hot in game two, as he went 3-4 with three doubles as he went 6-8 for the day with five doubles and six RBI while scoring three times. Despite only logging one hit, Orlando Pena's double in the top of the third gave the Blazers the lead as he now has a total of 69 RBI on the year while the next closest hitter in the GSC has 52.
 
VSU will look to sweep tomorrow with the final game of the series slated for 1:00 pm ET.
 
GAME ONE: VSU – 21 CBU – 11
Valdosta State came out of the gates hot in game one, as Pedro Moreno and DJ Banks started the series off with back to back singles followed by a double steal to put two runners in scoring position early. Jovanni Canegitta drew a walk to load the bases for Orlando Pena, who lifted a sacrifice fly into centerfield to give VSU a 1-0 lead. The Blazers would then draw four straight walks as two more scored to make the score 3-0 heading to the bottom of the first. CBU came out and rallied for five straight runs following a flyout to open the bottom of the first as an error and walks plagued VSU early through one, trailing 5-3.
 
As the order turned over in the top of the second, Moreno drew a walk that was followed by Banks being hit by a pitch for Canegitta, who tried to drop a sacrifice bunt, but the pitcher fell over on the throw as everyone was safe to load the bases yet again. Pena drove in his second runner of the day as he walked to make it 4-5 with no one retired as CBU went to bullpen. Greeting the lefty out of the bullpen, Hunter Stowe wasted no time giving Valdosta State the lead as he smoked a hanging breaking ball into left center to clear the bases and put VSU out in front, 7-5. CBU would come back in the bottom of the second with a run of their own on a sacrifice fly as the Blazers were leading 7-6 through two.
 
After a quiet top of the third, the Bucs would even things at 7-7 as an error by the left fielder proved to be costly as it was a fresh ballgame.
 
Following Stowe's second double of the game to put two runners in scoring position, Andres Natera and Marcos Sevillano would hit back to back sacrifice flies as the Blazers would retake the lead at 9-7 and never look back.
 
With the Valdosta State lead at 10-8 entering the top of the seventh, a one out single from Farid Eljaiek sparked a VSU rally as they scored five runs capped off by a two run home run from Raynel Ortiz, his first of the year as the Blazers were now dominating, up 15-8.
 
Pena would join the fun as he hit his 18^th home run of the season on a solo shot in the top of the ninth as the Blazers would dominate the Bucs in game one, 21-11.
 
GAME TWO: VSU – 4 CBU – 2
Game two was a much different vibe, as VSU ace Hunter Booth looked to show CBU why he was GSC and NCBWA South Region Pitcher of the Week.
 
Christian Brothers would get on the board first in the bottom of the second as they led 1-0 through two. Valdosta State would punch right back, as Orlando Pena doubled as Hunter followed suit with a double of his own as the Blazers were leading 3-1 after three.
 
Eljaiek would add some insurance as he singled home Sevillano to give the Blazers a 4-1 lead. Christian Brothers would only scrape together one more run as a single in the bottom of the sixth made it a two run game.
 
VSU closer Ryan Brown took the bump in the bottom of the seventh, as he quickly retired the side in order for his sixth save of the season as the Blazers took game two, 4-1.