CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The Valdosta State baseball team (14-25, 10-15 GSC) dropped its series opener to Lee University (26-13, 16-9 GSC), 8-2, on Friday evening at Larry Carpenter Stadium.
Lee scored two runs in each of the first two innings to build a quick 4-0 lead. The Flames added another in the third to make it 5-0, and would lead the contest from wire-to-wire.
Valdosta State answered in the fourth inning with a double from junior Ryan Strachan that drove in senior Brent Howard. Junior Charlie Banks drove in Strachan on a groundout later in the inning to cut the deficit to 5-2.
Lee continued to apply pressure at the plate, finishing with 18 hits on the night, and added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings to pull away for the 8-2 victory.
Strachan led the Blazers offensively, going 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI. Howard added a hit and scored a run, while junior Jason Mack and senior Marcos Sevillano each recorded hits.
Junior Garrett Moody made the start to open the weekend and took the loss after allowing five runs over three innings. Senior Drake LaRoche made an appearance out of the bullpen, tossing the final five five innings.
Lee starter Evan Bloomer was efficient, going the distance and limiting the Blazers to two runs on five hits.
Valdosta State will look to bounce back in tomorrow's doubleheader, with first pitch set for 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.
