AMERICUS, Ga. — The Georgia Southwestern State University baseball team jumped out to an early lead and answered a midgame surge, but couldn't keep pace late as Valdosta State University held on for an 8-6 win Tuesday evening in a nonconference matchup at Hurricane Stadium.
The Hurricanes (20-23) and Blazers (15-27) split the season series, with each team earning a win on the road.
Fast Start
Georgia Southwestern wasted no time getting on the board.
After Valdosta State plated a run in the first, the Hurricanes answered with two in the bottom half as
Josh McDonald delivered a two-run double to put GSW in front. The offense continued to click in the third, where the Hurricanes strung together a four-run inning.
RBI contributions from
Tripp Helgeson,
Samuel Hogue, and
Caleb Gipson highlighted the frame, with Gipson's two-run single giving GSW a 6-5 advantage.
Devon Murphy helped spark the offense throughout the night, finishing with his team-leading eighth three-hit game of the season.
Blazers Respond
The momentum quickly shifted in the middle innings.
Valdosta State answered with a four-run third inning to take a 5-2 lead, then followed with three more runs in the fourth to regain control after GSW's rally. A pair of RBI hits from Luke Flading proved pivotal as the Blazers built an 8-6 edge they would not relinquish.
Missed Opportunities
GSW had chances to respond but couldn't capitalize late.
The Hurricanes put runners on in the sixth and seventh innings but were unable to push across the tying runs as the Valdosta State bullpen combined for six scoreless innings to close out the game.
At the Plate
Murphy led the way with three hits, while McDonald drove in two runs with his first-inning double.
Gipson added a pair of hits and two RBIs, and
Drake Harman continued his consistency at the top of the lineup, recording two hits while extending his on-base streak to 34 consecutive games.
On the Mound
The Hurricanes pitching staff allowed 10 hits on the night, marking the fourth straight game surrendering double-digit hits and the fifth time in the last six contests. Georgia Southwestern has also allowed double-digit runs in three of its last six games.
Next Up
GSW travels to Cochran, Ga., for a key weekend Peach Belt Conference series against league-newcomer Middle Georgia State University starting Friday at 6 p.m.
