VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Hawks lost both games of a double header against the Valdosta State Blazers today, 11-1 and 13-6.
The losses move Shorter's record to 10-13 overall and 4-8 in the Gulf South Conference. With the series sweep, the Blazers of Valdosta State improve to 14-9 and 7-5 in conference play.
In the bottom of the first inning of game one, Valdosta put three runs on the board. A trio of Blazers reached via a base on balls, while a double and error on the Hawk defense also aided the home team.
Down 3-0, the visitors from Shorter answered in the top of the second. Raul Cortes walked with two outs and moved to second base on a balk. Greg Gladden stepped to the plate with a runner in scoring position and doubled down the right field line, batting in Cortes.
Valdosta State held SU scoreless for the remainder of the game, while scoring eight runs of its own. Seven of the eight runs came in the fifth and sixth innings. The Blazers managed five hits over the final innings, including a two-run homer. The game was called after seven and the Hawks fell, 11-1.
Shorter managed only 4 hits, compared to 11 for the Blazers. Jacob Ramos received the loss for the Hawks, giving up five earned runs over 4.1 innings. Kellan Bailey earned the win for Valdosta State.
In game two, the teams combined to score 19 runs, but Shorter fell, 13-6.
The Blazers struck first, scoring two runs in the bottom of the opening inning. Shorter's Gladden answered in the top of the second, hitting a solo home run – one of seven Hawks hits in the second game.
The third inning was huge for both squads. Shorter scored its final five runs in the top of the frame. Jacob Ramos' leadoff walk, followed by Steven Maier's double gave the Hawks runners on second and third with nobody out. Drake's two RBIs double gave Shorter a 3-2 lead. After VSU retired the next two batters, the scoring resumed for the visitors. Back to back RBI doubles by Gladden and Cortes pushed the Hawks advanced to 5-2. Cortes advanced to third thanks to a passed ball, and scored on an error by the third basemen, which also allowed Ty Cherry to reach base. Unfortunately for Shorter, Cherry was left stranded on first and the scoring ceased.
Despite a 6-2 lead heading into the bottom of the third, Valdosta State scored 11 unanswered runs – including seven in the third and fourth innings. In the end, the Hawks fell to the Blazers in the second game of the double header, 13-6.
Beau Blair received the win for Valdosta State, while Michael Weiksner took the loss for Shorter, allowing three earned runs over 2.2 innings.
The Hawks take a short break from play before hosting Lee University in a double header next Saturday. First pitch is set for 12 noon EST from the Ledbetter Baseball Complex.
