VALDOSTA, Ga. — The Valdosta State baseball team (6-11, 4-5 Gulf South Conference) secured a series victory Sunday afternoon with an 11-5 win over UAH (6-11, 4-5 GSC) at Billy Grant Field.
Valdosta State wasted little time jumping in front, plating two runs in the opening inning before breaking the game open with an eight-run third inning that would ultimately be decisive. The Blazers finished with 11 runs on 11 hits while drawing six walks.
Junior Luke Flading recorded his second three-hit performance in two games, driving in two runs and scoring twice. Junior Jason Mack added two RBI, including a sacrifice fly, while senior Jackson Webster delivered a strong day at the plate with two hits and three RBI. Junior Isaiah Pou contributed an RBI base knock, and sophomore Parker Ladd added two RBI.
Junior Matt Keller reached base twice and scored two runs atop the lineup, while senior Brent Howard recorded a hit, two walks, and crossed home plate twice for the Blazers.
Senior Drake LaRoche earned the win on the mound, improving to 2-1 on the season after tossing 6.0 innings while allowing four runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Junior Jacob Page followed with two innings of relief work, allowing just one unearned run while striking out two to setup junior Ryan Strachan, who closed the contest with a scoreless ninth inning.
Alabama Huntsville was led offensively by Jayce Upton, who collected two hits and two RBI, while Braxton Griffin added a two-run home run. Charger starter Colin Patterson was charged with the loss after surrendering seven runs in two innings of work.
VSU rounded out this weekend's series against UAH with the 11-5 win after securing a walk-off victory during game two of yesterday's doubleheader. The Blazers took the series two games to one.
Looking Forward
Valdosta State remains at Billy Grant Field for their next contest on Tuesday at 5 p.m. against nationally No. 1-ranked Tampa (14-1).
Find live stats, written coverage, streaming links, and more on vstateblazers.com and follow @VState_Blazers as well as @VState_Baseball to stay up to date with the team as they continue into GSC play.
