VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State baseball team (11-23) fell to Florida Southern (16-13) by an 11-7 final Tuesday evening at Billy Grant Field.
The Blazers jumped out to an early lead, plating three runs in the first inning before adding two more in the second and another in the third to take a 6-3 advantage.
Following a lengthy rain delay in the fourth inning, Florida Southern seized momentum with a four-run frame to take a 7-6 lead. The Mocs added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings before scoring twice in the ninth to extend a lead which they would hold the rest of the way.
Valdosta State answered with a run in the fifth but was unable to close the gap down the stretch despite matching Florida Southern with 11 hits on the night.
Sophomore Parker Ladd led off the lineup for the Blazers with a 2-for-5 performance, scoring twice and driving in a run. Senior Brent Howard added two hits and an RBI in the two hole, while junior Ryan Strachan finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and a walk in the three slot.
Senior Marcos Sevillano contributed a multi-hit effort, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and two walks, while senior Will Beckham recorded two hits, scored twice, and drove in a run.
Graduate Trey Jackson got the start for the Blazers, allowing three runs over 2.0 innings. Redshirt freshman Boomer Dunn followed with 1.1 scoreless innings in relief before Florida Southern broke through in the fourth. Junior Hayden Sottile added 2.0 innings out of the bullpen with three strikeouts.
Florida Southern was led offensively by Mikey Scott, who went 3-for-3 with four runs scored and two RBI, including a home run.
Valdosta State will return to action this weekend at Billy Grant Field as the Blazers continue Gulf South Conference play against Auburn Montgomery (8-26). Game one is set for Friday night at 5 p.m., with a doubleheader lined up for Saturday at 1 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 throughout the season.
