Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CLEVELAND – The Delta State University baseball team took the field Saturday looking to right the ship in Gulf South Conference play after dropping two-of-three to West Alabama last weekend. Unfortunately, the Statesmen were not able to pick up a couple of key wins, as the Blazers of Valdosta State won both games of the doubleheader by the scores of 5-1 and 13-8.

The Blazers got out of the gates in game one by scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Buster Jackson led off the inning with an infield single, and Marc Overstreet followed with an infield single of his own. Christian Glisson then made it three straight base hits with an RBI single up the middle, which brought Jackson home for the first run of the game. Later in the inning Overstreet was able to steal home on a double steal, and the Blazers were out to the early 2-0 lead.

Valdosta State went to work again in the second inning, as they plated another run. Steven Groves led the inning off with a base hit, and later scored on Jackson's second hit of the game.

Up 3-0, the Blazers kept the Statesmen off the scoreboard as they added a run in both the fifth and sixth innings. Jackson reached base for the third time when he hit into a fielder's choice. Overstreet then sent a triple into center field, and Jackson came into score. Austin Lawrence led off the sixth inning with a base hit to right field, and later scored on a Chaz Bagwell double. The runs put the Blazers up 5-0.

The Statesmen tried to get back into the game in the seventh inning. Tyler Aldridge struck out, but was able to reach first on the dropped third strike. Chad Fortenberry then came in to pinch hit, and singled to the pitcher. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Aldridge came into score on an error by the Blazers. The run cut the deficit to just four at 5-1, but the Statesmen could not get any closer.

Kevin Rogers (2-2) picked up the win for Blazers. The starter went 7 innings, allowed one unearned run on six hits, walked three and struck out five. Jarod Carlton (1) came on in relief, and picked up the save. Carlton pitched 2 innings, and did not allow a hit while walking two, and striking out one.

Aaron Newcomb (4-2) started the game for the Statesmen and suffered the loss. Newcomb pitched 7 innings, gave up five earned runs on 11 hits, struck out seven, and did not walk a batter. Cullen Babin pitched the final two innings, and did not surrender a run.

The Statesmen left 12 runners on base in game one, and Ben Kingsley saw his 17-game hitting streak come to an end.

Game two stated out much differently, as the Statesmen struck first with three runs in the opening inning. Sam Kidd was issued a lead off walk, and Morris Grant Followed with a bunt single. A base hit by Kingsley loaded with bases with nobody out. With one out, Brent Kakwitch hit an infield single to the shortstop, and Kidd was able to score the first run of the game. Michael Vinson was then able to reach on an error, and Grant was able to score on the play. Kris Koerper then grounded out, but it was enough to score Kingsley, as the Statesmen took the early lead.

The Blazers came back in the top of the second inning as they plated a run. Cooper Lemonds led the inning off with a base hit. Lemonds later scored on a throwing error by the Statesmen.

With their lead cut to two, the Statesmen answered right back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. Grant and Kingsley both reached base on two out walks. Fortenberry then sent a base hit into right field, and a pair of errors by the right fielder allowed both Grant and Kingsley to score.

Down 5-1 in the fourth inning, the Blazers scored four to get back into the game. Cameron Graves singled in the inning, and Groves later followed with an RBI double that scored Graves. A throwing error by the Statesmen let two runs come in for Valdosta, which made it a one run game at 5-4. An RBI single by Overstreet allowed Lawrence to score for the fourth run of the inning, which tied the game up at 5-5.

After the Blazers tied the game up, the Statesmen retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a run of their own. Kidd reached base on a walk, and later scored when Grant hit into a fielder's choice.

The lead did not last long, as Valdosta scored three more in the top of the fifth. Lemonds led off the inning with a base hit to right-center, and later scored on a base hit by Bryant Hayman. Later in the inning, Jackson came in to pinch hit with the bases loaded, and brought two home with a hit to center field. The runs put the Blazers up 8-6.

Down two, the Statesmen rallied in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game. Kakwitch reached base on an error, and Michael Vinson sent a base hit to right field. With one out, and the bases loaded, Marc McMillian brought two runs home with a base hit to left field. The runs knotted the game up at 8-8.

The game was still 8-8 heading into the seventh inning when the Blazer offense put five runs on the board. Hayman struck out to start the inning, but was able to reach first on the wild pitch. Groves then reached on a fielder's choice, and Hayman was safe on a throwing error. With one out, Jackson sent a sacrifice fly into right field, and Hayman came in for the run. Groves was able to score on another error by the Statesmen, and Glisson brought two home with a double to left field. Ryan Noelte capped of the scoring with a base hit, which brought Glisson home. The runs made it a 13-8 ball game, and that is where it would stay.

Colton Mitchell started the game for the Statesmen, and not receive a decision. Mitchell pitched 4 innings, gave up eight runs but only four were earned, walked three, and struck out one. Brandon Hardin (1-3) pitched three innings, and suffered the loss. Hardin gave up five runs, but only one was earned, walked two and struck out three.

Groves (1-1) who played at shortstop during the game also came in to pitch and picked up the win. Groves threw 2 innings, and did not allow a run. He was one of six pitchers the Blazers used in game two, including four used in the fifth inning.

The Statesmen (16-7, 3-5 GSC) scored eight runs on seven hits, but had five errors. The Blazers (15-8, 7-1 GSC) scored 13 runs on 12 hits, but had seven errors as well.

The Statesmen will look to avoid the sweep, as they close out their series with the Blazers on Sunday. The game will also close out the home stand for the Statesmen, as first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. with airtime set for 1:45 p.m. on the Statesmen Sports Network.