Box Score VALDOSTA, Ga. - The No.1 Delta State University Statesmen Baseball team dropped the opening game of the series to Valdosta State Friday afternoon, losing 8-5 to the Blazers.

The Statesmen (37-6-1, 18-3-1 Gulf South Conference) allowed all eight runs with two outs and left six runners on base, as Valdosta (28-14, out hit Delta State 15-6 in the loss.

Despite the loss, Delta State did secure first place in the upcoming GSC Standings after Alabama-Huntsville fell to Shorter today.

The Blazers scored a run in the first and two runs in the second before the Statesmen tied the game at three with a three-run inning in the third. Kasey Hinton had a single and Josh Crowdus and Sam Kidd were each hit bp a pitch in the inning. All three came around to score on seperate plays in the inning.

Valdosta State answered with two more runs in the bottom of the third. Following the third, Delta State was outscored 3-1 in the next five innings.

In the ninth, the Statesmen loadd the bases and scored a run, but a game ending double play eliminated a chance of a comeback. Josh Branstetter picked up the loss and fell to 7-2 on the season after giving up a season high five runs in the game.

Delta State will wrap the series with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 12 p.m. CT.