VALDOSTA, Ga. -
Valdosta State overcame a pair of deficits Sunday afternoon to
sweep a non-conference doubleheader from Augusta State at Billy
Grant Field.
In game one, ASU junior first baseman Tristan Toorie jacked a grand
slam in the sixth inning to give the Jags an 8- 5 lead. The Blazers
rallied for two runs in the eighth inning and then plated the tying
and winning runs in the bottom of the ninth to pull out a 9-8
victory.
An infield single and a pair of walks loaded the bases for VSU
against Jags' closer Tony Baker. Pinch hitter Bobby Triglia
reached on an infield single to drive in the game-tying run. The
next batter -- Chris Jones -- was hit by Baker with the pitch to
push across the winning run.
Toorie went 2-for-5 with five RBI to pace ASU and Alex Walker and
Evan Smith registered two hits each. Smith and Kenny Smith scored
two runs each.
Jake Summers and John Koenigsfeld booked a pair of hits for VSU.
Jordan Yost and Koenigsfeld drove in two runs each.
Cason Mobley earned the win with 2.1 innings of one-hit relief,
recording one strikeout, while Baker (0-1) took the loss for ASU.
Senior righty Jacob Watson worked the first 7.0 innings for the
Jags, allowing eight hits and five runs with a pair of strikeouts
and walks.
In game two, ASU jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the second inning only
to have the Blazers respond with 12 runs off starter Josh Barks and
fellow freshman reliever Scott Shipman in the third inning and
claim a 12-10 win in seven innings.
Jags' freshman third baseman Cole Payne posted a 3-for-4
effort with four RBI. Toorie and Baker tallied two hits each and
Baker, Toorie and junior catcher Casey Hanrahan scored a pair of
runs.
Russy Gusky (2-0) picked up the win for VSU and Brandon Decker and
Clayton Cain went 2-for-3, with Decker driving in five runs.
ASU hosts Lander in a single game on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 2:00
p.m., at Jaguar Field.