Box Score ST. AUGUSTINE – Flagler College took advantage of a bullpen implosion by Valdosta State University to rally for three runs in the eighth inning in a 6-4 win in a non-conference baseball game Wednesday night at Drysdale Field.

Flagler improved to 3-2 overall while Valdosta State fell to 2-2.

Flagler struck for single runs in the first and second, only to have Valdosta State tie the score with a two-run fourth. The Blazers took a 3-2 lead in the sixth, but the Saints evened things up in the seventh.

Jake Hanson got things started for Flagler in the eighth when he drew a one-out walk off reliever Dom Demasi (0-1).Shaun Starnes hit a single to the gap in left-center and Hanson made it all the way to third base. Chace Mitchell drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Valdosta State's fourth pitcher of the night , Zach John, came on to try and shut Flagler down and get out of the inning, but Andrew Brodbeck drew a bases loaded walk to give the Saints a 4-3 lead. Two batters later, pinch hitter Jay Laurienzo drew a walk and Flagler took a 5-3 lead. John uncorked a wild pitch to allow another run to score. He was able to retire the side, but the damage had already been done.

The Blazers tallied one run in the top of the ninth, but that would be all they could muster.

Jake Brandenberger (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings in relief to pick up the victory. He allowed just one hit and struck out a batter. Danny Brown closed the ninth to earn his first save of the season. He struck out two batters and allowed two hits. Tyler Ward started and pitched well for six innings. He scattered six hits and allowed three runs, but struck out two.

Seven different Flagler batters collected one hit. Mitchell and Brodbeck each hit doubles.

Demasi took the loss after hurling one inning. He allowed two hits, four runs, walked four and threw two wild pitches. Josh Mann started and tossed 4 2/3 innings, allowed four hits, two runs and struck out four batters.

Bryant Hayman went 2-for-3 as his solo home run in the sixth gave the Blazers a 3-2 lead. Michael Gouge collected two singles, scored twice and knocked in a run. Jake Fields also singled twice and scored a run.

Flagler hosts Clearwater Christian College in the first game of a three-game series on Friday at 7 p.m.

Flagler 6, Valdosta State 4 (Feb 06, 2013 at St. Augustine, Fla.)
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Valdosta State...... 000 201 001  -  4  9  0      (2-2)
Flagler............. 110 000 13X  -  6  7  0      (3-2)
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Pitchers: Valdosta State - Josh Mann; Benjamin Weil(5); Dom Demasi(7); Zach John(8) and Bryant Hayman. Flagler - Tyler Ward; Jake Brandenberger(7); Danny Brown(9) and Chace Mitchell.
Win-Jake Brandenberger(1-0)  Save-Danny Brown(1)  Loss-Dom Demasi(0-1)  T-2:54  A-52
2B FLG – Chace Mitchell; Andrew Brodbeck.
HR VSU - Bryant Hayman (1).
Weather: 65; cloudy; w: 7 mph