Valdosta State scored five runs over the sixth and seventh
innings and held on for a 5-4 win over Georgia Southwestern on
Tuesday evening at Hurricane Field.
The Hurricanes (14-26) struck first in the game as they scored a
run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Bud Long singled deep in
the hole at second base. After Zack Stanton flied out, Long stole
second and Daniel Stokes followed with a single up the middle to
drive in the first run of the game.
Similar to the 'Canes start in the fourth, Drew Camp led
off the GSW fifth inning with an infield single to second base.
After being moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, Camp eventually
would score off a pair of wild pitches by Thomas Tripp.
Down 2-0, VSU (28-14) struck back for three runs in the top of
the sixth. Three Blazer hits, including a two-run double by Blaine
Wilson, along with two Hurricane errors helped VSU take a 3-2 lead.
Valdosta State opened up a 5-2 advantage off a Robbie Kuzdale
two-run double in the seventh.
The Hurricanes chipped away at the Blazers lead with a run in
the eighth and Cody Adams added another run for Southwestern with a
solo home run in the ninth to complete the scoring.
Ross Gusky (5-2) earned the win for VSU, throwing 2.2 innings of
scoreless middle relief. He struck out three and walked
one. Matt Costello picked up his first save of the season by
throwing the final 1.2 innings.
GSW starter Ryan Lackey (1-4) took the loss, allowing five
runs off four hits in 6.1 innings of work. He struck out six
and walked one. Brandon Reeder and Bud Fuller combined to
throw a scoreless 2.2 innings.
Long and Camp had two hits apiece for the Hurricanes.
Sho Kohata led the VSU offense with a 2-for-5 performance that
included a double.
GSW travels to Auburn-Montgomery tomorrow for a 5:00 p.m. game.
PICTURED: Bud Long - slides safely for one of his two
stolen bases on the evening
PHOTO BY: Chris Fenn
