Box Score

AMERICUS, Ga. - The Valdosta State baseball team (15-27) scored five runs over three innings before using a strong effort from its bullpen to secure an 8-6 midweek victory over Georgia Southwestern (20-23) on Tuesday evening at Hurricane Stadium.

The Blazers wasted no time getting on the board with an RBI single off the bat of senior Marcos Sevillano, but quickly found themselves in a back-and-forth battle. Georgia Southwestern answered with two runs in the bottom of the first, and Valdosta State responded with four more in the third inning to regain control. The Hurricanes took their final lead of the contest with four runs in the bottom of the frame, as VSU would answer immediately with a three-run fourth inning, regaining an 8-6 lead that would hold the rest of the way.

Junior Luke Flading put on a standout performance, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, adding a walk, driving in three runs, and scoring twice. Junior Isaiah Pou delivered a key three-RBI double before walking to bring home another run. Sevillano added two hits and an RBI, while junior Ryan Strachan crossed the plate twice and added a double as part of the 10-hit effort.

Valdosta State's bullpen turned in a big-time performance, with senior Vinny Del Negro (1-0) earning the pitching win behind 2.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts and no hits. Del Negro was followed by steady performances from senior Drake LaRoche, junior Garrett Moody, junior Hunter Ward, and senior Keaton Fuller. The group combined to shut out Georgia Southwestern over the final 6.2 innings.

The Valdosta State baseball team will return home to Billy Grant Field tomorrow and turn its attention to Georgia College (16-23) at 5 p.m. The team will celebrate Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day, with VSU faculty and staff members receiving free admission.

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.