Valdosta State scored six runs over the fourth and fifth innings and held on for a 8-5 win over Georgia Southwestern on Wednesday evening at Hurricane Field.
The Hurricanes (10-14) struck first in the game as they scored a run in the bottom of the third inning. Drew Camp walked to open the frame and advanced around the bases via a passed ball, sacrifice bunt and fielder's choice. The Hurricanes took a 1-0 lead without recording a hit in the inning.
VSU (19-8) struck back for a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Matt Costello doubled to bring home Austin Smith and Costello later scored on a wild pitch. The Hurricanes pushed across another run in the bottom of the frame when Francisco Gomez singled in Bud Long, who started the inning with a double.
Valdosta State opened up a 6-2 advantage with four runs in the fifth.
The Hurricanes closed the Blazers lead to a single run with a three-run sixth inning. Chris Lingham reached on an infield single to start off the rally. The next batter, Shane Doyle doubled down the right field line. Long walked. The 'Canes would manage to bring in two runs before Drew Camp singled to right to drive in the final run of the frame.
VSU would add a pair of runs in the eighth to close out the scoring.
Steve Turner (3-1) earned the win for VSU, throwing five innings, allowing five runs - three earned - while striking out four and walking three. Brandon Graves silenced the GSW bats over the final four scoreless innings for his sixth save of the season. Graves struck out nine while not walking a batter.
GSW starter Jody Sellars (1-1) gets the loss, allowing six runs in 4.1 innings of work. He Struck out two and walked two. The Hurricanes pitching staff threw seven wild pitches.
Southwestern did not have a player record a multi-hit game. Gomez drove in two.
Smith led the VSU offense with a 3-for-5 performance that included a double. Costello went 2-for-4, had a double along with two RBI and two runs scored. Chase Blackwood and Clayton Cain had a pair of hits apiece for the Blazers.
GSW hosts USC Aiken this weekend in Peach Belt Conference action starting Saturday with a doubleheader at 2 p.m.