MEMPHIS-Valdosta State swept a Saturday afternoon doubleheader from the Bucs, winning the opener 6-0 and claiming a 4-3 win in the nightcap.
GAME 1:WHAT HAPPENED:The Blazers (16-10, 10-7 GSC) rode a Mitchell Cody five-hit shutout to a 6-0 win over the Bucs (8-11, 3-8) in the opener.
HOW IT HAPPENED:• The Blazers gave Cody all the run support he would need in the first inning, when they turned two singles, a double and a pair of two-out errors into two runs.
• VSU added three runs in the top of the sixth on three singles and two doubles.
• The Blazers set the final margin when Bryant Hayman hit a leadoff homer in the top of the ninth.
KEY STATS:•
Cameron Coker (Germantown, Tenn./Germantown HS) went 2-for-3 with a walk.
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Charles Kelly (Bartlett, Tenn./Bartlett HS) was 1-for-2 with a walk.
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Myles Holliman (Germantown, Tenn./Germantown HS) and
Stephen Joe (Madison, Miss./Ridgeland HS) each went 1-for-4.
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Michael Lartigue (Southaven, Miss./Southaven HS) allowed one run in four innings of relief as he scattered six hits and struck out two batters.
GAME 2:WHAT HAPPENED:The Bucs scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game at three, but VSU's Kevin Cruz launched a solo homer in the top of the seventh to break the tie and give VSU a 4-3 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED:• The Blazers struck first with a run in the third inning with a twou-out rally of a walk and a double.
• VSU extended its lead to 3-0 with two runs in the fifth on a single and back-to-back doubles.
• The Bucs rallied to tie the game in the sixth inning.
Casey Goodwin (Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) drew a one-out walk, and Holliman reached on catcher's interference. Coker singled to load the bases, and a balk brought Goodwin home.
Mac Cooley (Bartlett, Tenn./Horn Lake HS) reached on an error, driving Holliman in, and Coker scored on the error.
• Cruz hit the game-winning homer with one out in the top of the seventh.
KEY STATS:• Coker went 1-for-3 with a run.
• Kelly went 1-for-3 with a double.
• Holliman was 0-for-1 but walked and scored a run.
• Goodwin walked and scored a run.
NOTABLE:• Coker extended his hitting streak to 14 games. He has reached base safely in all 19 of the Bucs' games, with at least one hit in 17.
WHAT'S NEXT:The Bucs and Blazers meet again tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m.