VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State (7-15) and Embry-Riddle (9-7) combined for 31 runs and 37 hits Tuesday evening at Billy Grant Field, with the Eagles ultimately outlasting the Blazers 17-14 in a 13-inning non-conference marathon.
The game featured multiple lead changes and a late comeback to force extra innings by the Blazers before Embry-Riddle pulled ahead with three runs in the top of the 13th inning to secure the victory.
Valdosta State jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the first inning and extended the advantage throughout the early portion of the game, highlighted by a five-run fourth inning that put the Blazers ahead 8-3.
Senior Brent Howard led the offensive effort for Valdosta State, going 4-for-6 with a home run, two RBI, and four runs scored. Junior Charlie Banks added a strong performance as well, finishing 3-for-9 with two solo home runs, two RBI, and three runs scored. Banks paces VSU with seven home runs on the season.
Sophomore Parker Ladd continued his productive stretch at the plate since joining the starting lineup with a 3-for-6 performance that included two doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored. Junior Luke Flading also contributed offensively with a three-run home run while driving in three runs on the night.
Junior Jason Mack recorded two hits and an RBI while junior Ryan Strachan added two hits as the Blazers totaled 18 hits in the contest.
Embry-Riddle responded with a seven-run seventh inning to take control of the game before Valdosta State battled back to tie the contest with a three-run ninth inning to force extra innings.
The Eagles were led offensively by Torin Foley, who went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI. Francisco Feliciano added four hits and two RBI while Aiden Schmidt recorded three hits and three RBI.
Embry-Riddle finished the game with 19 hits and scored three late runs in the 13th inning to pull away and secure the win.
Looking Forward
Valdosta State will return to Gulf South Conference play and Billy Grant Field this weekend as the Blazers play host to Delta State (13-7) for a three-game series beginning Friday at 2 p.m.
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.
