VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State baseball team rallied from a 4-1 deficit for a thrilling 5-4, walk-off victory over visiting Florida Tech Saturday afternoon to snap a four-game skid.  
 
Blazer senior pinch-hitter Jackson Webster laced a single to center field for the winning run with two out in the bottom of the ninth after VSU loaded the bases.  Webster scored junior Jason Mack who reached on an error by the Panthers to begin the inning.  Prior to the winning run, senior Will Beckham put down a nice bunt moving Mack to second and then junior Isaiah Pou was intentionally walked.  Florida Tech reliever Reilly Kuhar walked junior Charlie Banks to load the bases before the hit from Webster.  
 
With the win, the Blazers improved to 2-5 on the year, while Florida Tech suffered its first defeat of the season (5-1).  Blazer junior pitcher Cam Habada (1-0) earned the win in relief, going three innings, allowing just one hit and fanning three.  Blazer senior Drake LaRoche began the game, going five innings, allowing six hits, two earned runs, walked two and fanned three for a no decision.  Sophomore Tyler Wilson pitched the sixth for the Blazers.
 
For the Panthers, Hunter Stolov went 5.1 innings, allowing seven hits, four runs – three earned and fanned five, while Kuhar (0-1) took the loss in 3.1 innings, allowing three hits, one unearned run, walked two and fanned one.  
 
VSU finished with five runs on ten hits and one error, while FIT had four runs on nine hits and three miscues.  Blazer junior Matt Keller went 3 for 4 with a run scored and a stolen base, while junior Luke Flading was 2 for 4 with a run scored and a double.  Junior Jason Mack finished 1 for 3 with two runs scored and two RBI.  For the Panthers Adrian Dominguez went 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI, while Marchello Cortale was 2 for 4 with a triple.
 
The Panthers used an RBI single from Dominguez in the first inning for a 1-0 lead.  The Blazers responded in the bottom of the inning as Pou scored on a throwing error for a 1-1 score.  In the third, FIT's Anthony Finniano laced an RBI double to center for a 2-1 score.  The Panthers then added two more runs in the top of the sixth on an RBI single from Tyler McClanahan, followed by a fielder's choice and error on the Blazers for a 4-1 score.
 
From there, the Blazer rally began, plating three runs in the bottom of the sixth as Flading began the frame with a double to left.  Mack later doubled home two runs and senior Will Beckham hit an RBI single to right center for a 4-4 score.  
 
VSU continues at home as it opens Gulf South Conference play next Friday at 5 p.m. at Billy Grant Field at Tommy Thomas Park for a three-game series.