MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. - The Valdosta State baseball team (11-18) returns to action on Tuesday for a midweek matchup at Georgia College (12-17), with first pitch set for 5 p.m.
The Blazers enter the contest looking to snap a three-game skid after dropping a weekend series at Montevallo, while the Bobcats come in having lost two straight. Valdosta State holds a 9-7 advantage in the all-time series with Georgia College, including a sweep of last season's home-and-home meetings.
Valdosta State's offense has been led this season by massive production from junior Charlie Banks, whose nine home runs and .550 slugging percentage pace the team. Banks' nine home runs are the second most by any player in the Gulf South Conference. Sophomore Parker Ladd has emerged as a key piece since joining the starting lineup, hitting .349 with a .917 OPS. Seniors Brent Howard (.276, 4 HR, 17 RBI) and Jackson Webster (.457 OBP) have provided consistent production in the middle of the lineup, while junior Luke Flading has added another consistent bat with a .267 average over 24 starts.
On the mound, senior Trey Jackson appears to be a strong candidate to start the midweek contest. Jackson started last week's midweek matchup for the Blazers against Saint Leo, tossing six shutout innings and earning the pitching win. Senior Keaton Fuller has been very effective out of the bullpen with a 2.70 ERA, while senior Vinny Del Negro and sophomore Jacob Page highlight the rest of a bullpen that has found its stride in recent weeks.
Georgia College is paced offensively by Evan Cowan, who is hitting .383 with a .489 on-base percentage, while Luke Boone provides power with five home runs and 32 RBI. Carson Vick (.306) and Carson Phillips (.303) round out a lineup that features multiple hitters above the .300 mark and puts pressure on opposing pitching staffs.
On the mound, the Bobcats have been led by Keaton Prior (4.30 ERA, 37 strikeouts) and Jake Beaver (39 strikeouts). Nick Bennett and Gavyn Seitz appear as strong candidates to start the midweek contest.
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 throughout the season.
