ST. AUGUSTINE – No. 26 (Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Division II Top 30) Flagler College scored the majority of its runs in the first three innings en route to an 8-3 victory over Valdosta State University in a non-conference baseball game Tuesday evening at Drysdale Field.

Flagler improved to 26-10 overall while Valdosta State lost its fifth game in a row and dropped to 12-21.

After the Blazers opened the game with a run in the top of the first, the Saints countered with four of their own in the bottom half.

Ethan Crout and Dillon Reed led off with back-to-back singles, but both were able to take an extra base when Valdosta State left fielder Nick Koslowski bobbled the ball. Frankie Martello followed with a ground ball to third, but Blake Seeley's throw one-hopped the first baseman who was unable to field the throw cleanly and everyone was safe, including Crout who scored in the play. Jason Moore singled to left-center to plate Reed from third, and later, a ground out scored Martello. Moore scored the fourth run on a wild pitch.

In the third inning, with runners on first and second, Ja'Kobi Dasher hit a ball into the hole at shortstop where O'Kevious Conway had only one play, to throw to third for the force out. His throw was wide of the bag and the runner, Sean Lawlor, had the throw beat. He was able to score on the errant throw. A ground out scored another run and then Reed hit an RBI single to right-center to give Flagler a commanding 7-1 lead.

Jett Walsh (6-1) avoided trouble with the help of a couple of double plays, but was finally reached in the sixth inning where he allowed a couple of runs. He tossed seven innings and scattered six hits while allowing three runs. Walsh walked two and struck out five. Nick Martinez and Dante Pagano each worked an inning in relief.

Reed finished the game 4-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and one run batted in. Crout and Lawlor each collected a pair of singles and scored a run for Flagler.

Hunter Jones (2-3) took the loss on the hill for the Blazers. He pitched in the first innings, allowed four hits and three earned runs.

Kendall Herrron hit a pair of doubles and scored a run for Valdosta State and Luke Suchon collected a pair of singles, scored a run and drove in another.

Up next for the Saints is a three-game series at Eckerd College starting Friday (April 6) at 6 p.m. at St. Petersburg.