VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State used a big fourth inning to defeat West Alabama 5-1 in Gulf South Conference baseball action at Billy Grant Field Sunday afternoon.
West Alabama (12-14, 6-3) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning as Brett Langham doubled with one out and moved to third on a wild pitch. A ground ball by Josh Podoris drove Langham home for a 1-0 UWA lead. The Tigers had the opportunity to add to their lead in the frame as, before the Langham double, Matthew Magee led off the frame with a double down the right field line, but he was thrown out at third trying to take an extra base.
Valdosta State (12-11, 2-6) took a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jake Fields singled for VSU's first hit of the game to open the frame and stole second. A sacrifice bunt moved Fields to third, from which he scored as Michael Gouge followed with single up the middle. A throwing error on a pickoff attempt allowed Gouge to move to third and Nick Rodda singled to left to bring him home before Jamie McMillan doubled to right-center to score Rodda for the third Blazer run. Hunter Thompson followed with a hard hit ball at Langham at second base that bounded off his leg and into left field to bring home Rodda.
Gouge singled and eventually scored on a McMillan sacrifice fly in the seventh inning to push the VSU advantage to 5-1.
Valdosta State starter Jeremy Holcomb (4-2) allowed seven hits and one run before leaving the game with two runners on and one out in the top of the seventh inning. Benjamin Weil came on and got a line drive double play to end the threat. Weil recorded the final eight outs to earn his second save.
West Alabama's Nick Bolleter fell to 2-3 as he gave up seven hits and five runs in 7.0 innings.
Gouge had two hits and two runs to lead Valdosta State while McMillan had two runs driven in.
Valdosta State returns to action next Saturday, March 23 at 3:00 p.m. when it opens a three-game Gulf South Conference series against Shorter at Billy Grant Field.
West Alabama (12-14, 6-3) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning as Brett Langham doubled with one out and moved to third on a wild pitch. A ground ball by Josh Podoris drove Langham home for a 1-0 UWA lead. The Tigers had the opportunity to add to their lead in the frame as, before the Langham double, Matthew Magee led off the frame with a double down the right field line, but he was thrown out at third trying to take an extra base.
Valdosta State (12-11, 2-6) took a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jake Fields singled for VSU's first hit of the game to open the frame and stole second. A sacrifice bunt moved Fields to third, from which he scored as Michael Gouge followed with single up the middle. A throwing error on a pickoff attempt allowed Gouge to move to third and Nick Rodda singled to left to bring him home before Jamie McMillan doubled to right-center to score Rodda for the third Blazer run. Hunter Thompson followed with a hard hit ball at Langham at second base that bounded off his leg and into left field to bring home Rodda.
Gouge singled and eventually scored on a McMillan sacrifice fly in the seventh inning to push the VSU advantage to 5-1.
Valdosta State starter Jeremy Holcomb (4-2) allowed seven hits and one run before leaving the game with two runners on and one out in the top of the seventh inning. Benjamin Weil came on and got a line drive double play to end the threat. Weil recorded the final eight outs to earn his second save.
West Alabama's Nick Bolleter fell to 2-3 as he gave up seven hits and five runs in 7.0 innings.
Gouge had two hits and two runs to lead Valdosta State while McMillan had two runs driven in.
Valdosta State returns to action next Saturday, March 23 at 3:00 p.m. when it opens a three-game Gulf South Conference series against Shorter at Billy Grant Field.
