Blazers Take Two at Russ Matt Invitational

VSU wins 13-5, 6-2

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Valdosta State rolled to a 13-5 victory over West Virginia Wesleyan in the first game before scoring four runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat Ashland 6-2 in the second game of the Russ Matt Invitational Thursday.

WVW (2-7) opened the scoring of the first game with a single run in the top of the second before VSU (13-8) scored six runs in the bottom of the frame. Matt Costello began the inning with a double before Blaine Wilson hit his second home run of the season. Jon Koenigsfeld proceeded to single and moved to second on a wild pitch before scoring on a Sho Kohata base hit. Robbie Kuzdale followed with a single before a Chase Blackwood ground out moved both runners into scoring position. Brandon Decker proceeded to collect a two-run single and moved to second on a error on a Clayton Cain ground ball, allowing him to score as Costello singled to give VSU a 6-1 lead.

The Blazers added two more runs in the third as Kohata singled and scored on Kuzdale's second home run of the year before pushing their lead to 9-1 with a Wilson run-scoring single in the fourth.

The Bobcats got four runs back in the top of the sixth, only to have Valdosta State score a run in the bottom of the frame and three more in the seventh to close out the scoring.

Steve Turner picked up the victory as he pitched into the sixth inning to improve to 2-1.

The second game proved to be a pitcher's duel for the first seven innings before Valdosta State got on the board with a single run in the top of the eighth. Blackwood singled to open the frame and moved to second on a Decker base hit. Costello proceeded to single, scoring Blackwood for a 1-0 VSU lead.

Ashland (4-3) responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame before the Blazers scored four in the top of the ninth for the victory. With one out in the ninth, Koenigsfeld doubled and scored as Cain followed with single. Chaz Bagwell drew a walk and Blackwood was hit by a pitch to load the bases while Decker gave Valdosta State the lead with a base on balls. Costello proceeded to triple to score Bagwell, Blackwood and pinch-runner Luke Harben to close out the scoring.

Austin Smith started for Valdosta State and surrendered five hits and no runs while striking out three in six innings of work. Brandon Graves came on and allowed two hits and two runs over the final three innings to improve to 4-0.

Costello led Valdosta State with six hits and five runs batted in on the game while Koenigsfeld tallied four hits in the two games. Kuzdale and Decker finished with three hits each while Blackwood, Wilson, Kohata and Brandon Atkins finished with two hits each.

Valdosta State returns to action Saturday, March 7 when it opens a three-game series against Tiffin at Billy Grant Field. VSU will honor its 1979 national championship team prior to the game, which is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. first pitch.

Current News >>