VALDOSTA, Ga. - After a non-conference game earlier this week, the Shorter Hawks resumed Gulf South Conference play Friday afternoon, falling to the Valdosta State Blazers on the road, 11-4.

The Hawks got off to a hot start, scoring three runs in the first two innings. In the top of the first Blaze Vazquez homered with two outs, giving SU a 1-0 advantage. Two more runners crossed the plate for Shorter in the second, as the visitors pushed their advantage to 3-0. Sheldon Drake hit a leadoff single, before Ty Cherry collected a base hit of his own, giving the Hawks two on with no outs. Brian Cabrera's sacrifice bunt advanced the runners to second and third respectively. Cherry then advanced to third base, while Drake scored on a wild pitch. The Valdosta catcher overthrew the third basemen and Cherry crossed home plate on the error, helping Shorter take a 3-0 lead.

Valdosta State (12-9, 5-5) scored twice in the bottom of the second inning, cutting the Hawks lead to one run, 3-2. In the top of the third, Shorter (10-11, 4-6) managed a single run to push its lead back to two. With two outs, Vazquez singled and stole second base. Patrick Sanderson tripled, batting in Vazquez.

The Blazers tied the game at four in the bottom of the third, and went on to score seven unanswered runs, defeating Shorter, 11-4.

Valdosta State outhit the Hawks 14-7, while both teams each made one error.

Jacob Farmer took the loss for SU. The sophomore pitcher gave up five earned runs on nine hits in five innings. Mitchell Cody earned the win for the Blazers.

The two teams will play a double header Saturday afternoon. Game one is set to begin at 1 PM EST in Valdosta, Georgia.