LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Valdosta State (7-14, 5-7) closed the weekend with a statement victory, defeating No. 8 West Alabama (18-3, 10-2) by a 3-2 score in the series finale on Saturday afternoon.

Junior Drake LaRoche delivered an explosive performance on the mound, tossing a complete game while allowing two runs with seven strikeouts to earn the victory. LaRoche's nine innings are the second complete game from a Blazer pitcher this season, and the first one to go a full nine innings.

West Alabama took an early lead in the fourth inning behind a solo home run from Nick Wilson before adding another run later in the frame to move ahead 2-0.

Valdosta State began its comeback in the sixth inning when sophomore Parker Ladd reached and later scored on a sacrifice fly from senior Brent Howard to cut the deficit to one.

The Blazers completed the rally in the ninth inning as junior Charlie Banks and junior Ryan Strachan both reached base. Both base runners came around to score when senior Jackson Webster delivered yet another clutch moment in his senior campaign via a two-run single down the right field line to give Valdosta State a 3-2 lead. 

LaRoche returned to the mound in the bottom of the ninth and closed the door with three quick outs to secure the complete-game victory and the upset over the No. 8 ranked Tigers.

Valdosta State finished with seven hits in the contest, led by Banks and Ladd with two hits each. Webster drove in two runs while Howard added an RBI.

West Alabama totaled nine hits in the game, led by Wilson who finished 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI while Will Wood added two hits and a run batted in.

Looking Forward

Valdosta State will return home Tuesday to host Embry-Riddle (8-7) at Billy Grant Field with first pitch set for 5 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.