VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Statesmen split Saturday's doubleheader, allowing the Valdosta State Blazers to win the series. Delta State won game two to set up a rubber match, but the Blazers avoided a late collapse to hold on for the win in game three.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final Game One: Delta State 7 | Valdosta State 5
Final Game Two: Delta State 8 | Valdosta State 9
Records: Statesmen (25-16, 16-8 GSC) | Blazers (22-14, 14-10 GSC)
Location: Valdosta, GA | Billy Grant Field
Get Social: @DeltaStateBSB

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One

• Delta State sent three to the plate in the top of the first. Valdosta State plated a run on a two-out RBI double in the home half of the inning. 1-0 VSU after one.
• Dylan Coleman reached on an error but was out on a fielder's choice that allowed Dylan Dendy to reach. Dendy moved to third on a double by Hayden Cooper. The pair scored on a two-RBI single by Taylor Woodcock to left field with two outs. Matthew Nichols then singled to move Woodcock to second. Wes Warnock then singled to score Woodcock from second as Nichols and Warnock advanced into scoring position on VSU's throw to home plate. Brendan McCauley then singled to plate Nichols and Warnock. All five DSU runs came with two outs in the inning. Valdosta State stranded a two-out hit in the bottom of the second. 5-1 Delta State after two.
• Delta State sent three to the plate in the third; Valdosta State stranded a runner at third base. The Statesmen saw walks to Woocock, Nichols, and Warnock in the fourth, but stranded two on base. The Blazers fell in order in the bottom of the fourth as Drake Fontenot ended the inning with his fourth strikeout of the game. Brett Burrell and Coleman singled to start the top of the fifth. Dylan Dendy reached on a fielder's choice that retired Coleman, but Cooper was then walked to load the bases with one out. Cole Thompson and Woodcock drew RBI walks with the bases loaded. The Blazers loaded the bases with no outs, but only plated one run on a sac fly. 7-2 Delta State after five.
• Warnock had a leadoff hit in the top of the sixth and moved to second on a bunt from McCauley. Burrell joined him on base after drawing a walk, but the pair were left on base. Valdosta State scored a run, but stranded two in the bottom of the sixth after Noah Magee came in and drew a strikeout and a flyout. 7-3 Delta State after six.
• Cooper drew a walk to start the DSU seventh and moved to second on a single by Thompson, but the Statesmen were kept off the board in the frame. The Blazers left one on base in the seventh after a two-out walk. The Statesmen went in order in the eighth inning. VSU loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the eighth and plated two runs, but a double play forced the Blazers' hands as the third out was recorded at home when the runner was caught stealing. 7-5 Delta State after eight.
• Delta State left Thompson on base in the ninth after a two-out HBP. The Blazers went in order in the bottom of the ninth as the Statesmen held on for the win. 7-5 Delta State final.

Game Two

• Warnock drew a walk and moved to second on a McCauley single to start game two. Coleman singled with one out to score Warnock and move McCauley to second. Both runners advanced into scoring position on a double steal and scored on a Cooper two-RBI double. The Blazers went in order in the bottom of the first. 3-0 Delta State after one.
• Delta State sent three to the plate in the top of the second; the Blazers stranded the bases loaded after two hits in the inning. DSU went in order again in the third inning. The Blazers were on the board after a two-run home run in the bottom of the third. 3-2 Delta State after three.
• The Statesmen were sent in order in the top of the fourth. The Blazers took the lead in the bottom of the fourth after scoring five runs on three hits, two errors, and two walks in the frame. 7-3 VSU after four.
• DSU sent three to the plate in the top of the fifth. Valdosta State left a runner on base in the home half of the fifth after a hit and an error. Burrell picked up a DSU hit in the top of the sixth. VSU plated two more runs on two hits and an error in the bottom of the sixth. 9-3 VSU after six.
• Hayden Cooper hit a solo homer to lead the top of the seventh. Woodcock reached base on a fielder's choice and moved to third on a single by Warnock. An infield single by McCauley scored Woodcock and moved Warnock to second. Burrell also recorded an infield single to load the bases with two outs. Coleman was hit by a pitch to score Warnock and put the tying run at first base. Dylan Dendy singled to left to score McCauley and Burrell, putting the tying run at second base, but a groundout would end the scoring threat at the game. 9-8 VSU final.

On The Mound

• Game one starter Drake Fontenot pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He also struck out five Blazers with six walks.
• Noah Magee relieved Fontenot in game one and pitched 1.2 innings, allowing two runs on two hits with a strikeout and two walks.
• Josh Hill earned the save in game one, pitching the final 2.0 innings and allowing no runs or hits. He also was credited with a strikeout and a walk.
• Game two starter Logan Cromer pitched 2.0 innings, allowing no runs and two hits. He also recorded a strikeout and a walk.
• Cade Whitley pitched 1.0 inning in game two, allowing five runs on three hits. He struck out one and walked two.
• Jackson Wilson pitched 2.0 innings, allowing two runs on two hits with two strikeouts and a walk.
• Braiden Jones pitched the sixth inning of game two, allowing two runs on two hits. He also recorded a strikeout and a walk.

UP NEXT
The Statesmen resume GSC play next weekend with a three-game series at Lee University. First pitch for game one against the Flames on Friday, April 19 is scheduled for 5:00 pm CT in Cleveland, TN.