ST. AUGUSTINE – Valdosta State University used a three-run fourth inning to pull away from Flagler College for a 7-4 victory in a non-conference baseball game Tuesday night at Drysdale Field on "Ashley Daniel Night."
Flagler dropped to 27-19 overall while Valdosta State improved to 25-18. This was the regular season home finale for the Saints.
Flagler grabbed a quick 2-0 after one inning of play.
The Blazers got a run back in the second after an RBI double by Logan Stephens.
Austin Kunde (1-1) started the fourth inning for Flagler. He was greeted by a lead-off double by Stephens and a walk put runners on first and second. Andrew Williamson dropped down a bunt down the third base line. Kunde fielded the ball, but his throw was wild and allowed Stephens to score and the other runners moved up a base. Seth Caballes hit a sharp grounder to Flagler's
Sean Lawlor at first base. He had difficulty stopping the ball and another run scored. A groundout plated the other run to give the Blazers a 4-2 lead.
Jowenrick Daantji's single in the sixth scored an insurance run.
The Blazers needed that run as
Connor Laspina belted a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to get the Saints to within one run, 5-4.
But Valdosta State plated single runs in the seventh and ninth.
Zach Blankenship (5-2) tossed two scoreless innings to earn the win in relief. He fanned six batters and allowed just one hit. Trevin Eubanks, the sixth Valdosta State pitchers used, picked up his sixth saved of the year after not allowing a run in the last two innings. The Blazers staff struck out 10 batters.
DJ King went 3-for-5 with a triple and he scored a run. Daantji collected two hits and drove in a run while Jordan Holt singled twice, scored a run, and drove in two more.
Kunde worked one-third of an inning and surrendered three runs on two hits for the Saints,
Jason Moore went 3-for-4 with two doubles, one run batted in, and he scored a run. Laspina finished 2-for-4 with the home run.
Flagler hits the road for its final Peach Belt Conference series this weekend. The Saints visit USC Aiken to start the series on Friday at 7 p.m. at Roberto Hernandez Stadium.
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