VALDOSTA, Ga. – Flagler College scored five runs on four hits in the ninth inning, but the rally came up short in a 10-7 loss to No. 18 (
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Division II Top 30) Valdosta State University in a non-conference baseball game Wednesday night at Billy Grant Field.
Flagler is now 23-24 overall while Valdosta State moves to 29-12.
Trailing 10-2 going into the top of the ninth inning,
Coy Phillips hit a one-out liner to right field that the Blazers outfielder misplayed and allowed Phillips to scamper all the way to third base. He scored on
Griffin Garcia's single to right-center. After a walk and a strikeout,
Donovan Garcia hit a single through the right side to load the bases.
Zach Thomas followed with a two-run single to center to cut the deficit to five, 10-5. That hit chased Valdosta State reliever JJ Finn.
Brandon Raiden came in the finish the game for the Blazers. After Thomas stole second to put two runners in scoring position, pinch hitter
Myles Colangelo hit a single to center to plate two more runs. An error by VSU's third baseman put runners at second and third, but Raiden struck out the last batter to end the game.
Valdosta State scored five runs of its own in the fifth inning and scored the insurance run in the sixth.
Adrian Garrastazu (3-1) picked up the win after tossing five innings and allowing one run on two hits with six strikeouts.
Bryson Gandy led the Blazer offense going 2-for-5 with a double, a run batted in, and he scored a run.
Gavin Barnell (0-1) pitched in the second inning for the Saints and surrendered two runs on one hit to get the loss. He was one of six Flagler pitchers used in the game.
Zach Thomas collected three singles, scored two runs and knocked in two more to go along with a stolen base.
Tyler Keith hit a double.
Flagler wraps up its regular season schedule this weekend as they host No. 6 Columbus State University. The first game of the series is Friday night at 6 p.m. at Drysdale Field. Before the game, the Saints will honor their four seniors.
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