Valdosta State scored five runs over the sixth and seventh innings and held on for a 5-4 win over Georgia Southwestern on Tuesday evening at Hurricane Field.

The Hurricanes (14-26) struck first in the game as they scored a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Bud Long singled deep in the hole at second base. After Zack Stanton flied out, Long stole second and Daniel Stokes followed with a single up the middle to drive in the first run of the game.

Similar to the ‘Canes start in the fourth, Drew Camp led off the GSW fifth inning with an infield single to second base. After being moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, Camp eventually would score off a pair of wild pitches by Thomas Tripp.

Down 2-0, VSU (28-14) struck back for three runs in the top of the sixth. Three Blazer hits, including a two-run double by Blaine Wilson, along with two Hurricane errors helped VSU take a 3-2 lead.

Valdosta State opened up a 5-2 advantage off a Robbie Kuzdale two-run double in the seventh.

The Hurricanes chipped away at the Blazers lead with a run in the eighth and Cody Adams added another run for Southwestern with a solo home run in the ninth to complete the scoring.

Ross Gusky (5-2) earned the win for VSU, throwing 2.2 innings of scoreless middle relief.  He struck out three and walked one.  Matt Costello picked up his first save of the season by throwing the final 1.2 innings.

GSW starter Ryan Lackey (1-4) took the loss, allowing five runs off four hits in 6.1 innings of work.  He struck out six and walked one.  Brandon Reeder and Bud Fuller combined to throw a scoreless 2.2 innings.

Long and Camp had two hits apiece for the Hurricanes.  

Sho Kohata led the VSU offense with a 2-for-5 performance that included a double.

GSW travels to Auburn-Montgomery tomorrow for a 5:00 p.m. game.

PICTURED: Bud Long - slides safely for one of his two stolen bases on the evening

PHOTO BY: Chris Fenn