VALDOSTA, GA. - A bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 10th inning would prove to be the game winner Wednesday night as Valdosta State slipped by Georgia Southwestern 9-8 in non-conference baseball action at Billy Grant Field in Valdosta.

Georgia Southwestern (4-11) opened the scoring in the top of the second inning as it plated five runs. Francisco Gomez walked to lead off the inning, and two batters later Daniel Stokes followed with a double to move Gomez to third. Cody Adams' fielder's choice plated Gomez. Jordan Mullis then tripled to score Stokes and Blazer starter Jeremy Forbus hit the next two batters to load the bases before being relieved. Daniel Lynn greeted reliever Will Thompson with a two-run single and Patrick McCarthy singled to score the final run of the inning, giving the Hurricanes a 5-0 advantage.

Valdosta State (8-5-1) responded with a run in the bottom of the frame to cut its deficit to 5-1. Chase Blackwood doubled to open the inning and moved to third on a wild pitch before coming home on a Jon Koenigsfeld ground out.

The Blazers added three more runs to their total in the bottom of the third with a single and a pair of home runs. Logan Pierce led off by battling through a 12-pitch at-bat before blooping a single to left. Blaine Wilson hit a 2-2 pitch over the fence in left-center field for his second home run of the season. Two batters later, Blackwood hit his first homer of the year to left, cutting the VSU deficit to 5-4. VSU would go on to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth. Koenigsfeld singled and moved to second on a foul out to left field. A stolen base moved Koenigsfeld to third, allowing him to score on a Curtis Keegan single to right and tie the game at 5-5.

The Hurricanes surged back into the lead in the eighth when Cody Adams reached on a fielder's choice. Pinch runner Jared Allen proceeded to steal second and scored when Zack Stanton homered to left for a 7-5 GSW lead. VSU came right back in the bottom of the eighth and capitalized on a balk and an error to score 3 runs and pull ahead 8-5.

Georgia Southwestern evened the game with an unearned run in the top of the ninth. With one out, McCarthy doubled and moved to third when Wes Hyman bobbled the ball in right field. Gomez proceeded to ground out to push McCarthy across the plate and even the score at 8-8. A scoreless ninth inning for the Blazers would stretch the game into an extra inning.

GSW was unable to produce a run in the 10th as pitcher Steve Turner tallied 2 strikeouts and a pop fly. Sho Kohata led off the bottom of the 10th inning with a walk before Hurricane reliever Jody Sellars (0-1) entered the game. Kohata stole second and moved to third on a throwing error. GSW put the next two batters on base to bring Keill to the plate. The Blazer first baseman put the first pitch down the left field line, driving in Kohata for the winning run.

Pat McCarthy and Daniel Stokes recorded two hits apiece for the Hurricanes, while Zack Stanton contributed 1 hit, 2 RBI, and scored 2 runs in the effort. Brandon Reeder took the loss for the Canes.

GSW will take to field again Tuesday, March 3 with a home stand against Auburn University - Montgomery. First pitch will be at 5:00 PM at Hurricane Field in the Susan K. Smith Athletic Complex.