VALDOSTA, Ga. — The Mississippi College baseball team struck first, but Valdosta State University responded with a pair of big innings to secure an 11-1, seven-inning victory over the Choctaws (22-10, 13-6 Gulf South Conference) in the opening game of the GSC series on Friday, March 28 at Billy Grant Field.
 
Logan Shurden gave MC an early lead with an RBI single in the fourth inning, but the Blazers (18-14, 12-6 GSC) battled back with four runs in the bottom half of the inning and six more in the sixth to take control of the contest.
 
Choctaw starter Holland Townes (2-5) worked into the fourth inning, but ran into trouble as the Red and Black scored on a wild pitch to tie the game. DJ Banks gave the Blazers the lead with a three-run home run to left field to cap the scoring in the inning. The hurler closed his day going 3.2 innings, giving up four hits, walking six and striking out two.
 
The sixth inning proved to be the turning point as VSU capitalized on walks and timely hitting, highlighted by a Banks' two-run double and Orlando Pena's two-RBI single.
 
MC pieced together six hits in the contest, headlined by a pair of multiple-hit efforts from Bryce LaRocca and Beau Kirsch. The Blue and Gold attempted rallies in the top of the sixth and again in the seventh, leaving a pair of runners stranded in each. MC proved its biggest threat in the seventh as it loaded the bases with one down, but a double play ended the threat.
 
Valdosta State starter Zac Dodson (4-5) earned the win, striking out five over six innings while allowing one run on four hits.
 
Mississippi College and Valdosta State renew the series on Saturday, March 29 as the two pair off in a doubleheader. First pitch is 11 a.m. central.