Box Score
Blanked on one hit through seven innings, the Moccasins took advantage of three Valdosta State miscues to score five runs in the eighth inning and claim a 5-4 victory over the Blazers Saturday night at Valdosta, Ga.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak and put the Moccasins over the .500 mark at 7-6. Valdosta State fell to 4-5.
A leadoff walk to Brad Carlton from submarine-style reliever Benjamin Weil started the Moccasins' eighth inning. Valdosta State left fielder Chas Bagwell misplaced Colin Kish's fly ball into a double and Carlton went to third. J.J. Downum dropped a fly ball into short left that scored Carlton and sent Kish to third. T.J. Kuban singled home Kish and moved Downum to second. After Mike Synder singled off Weil's glove to load the bases, Austin Chubb hit what looked like a sure double play ball to second baseman Marc Overstreet, but it went right through his legs, allowing Downum and Kuban to score to tie the game at 4-4. Steven Groves replaced Weil and was one out away from keeping the game tied, but with Kyle Jackson at the plate, Groves delivered a wild pitch that brought Snyder home and gave the Moccasins the lead.
Not to be overlooked in the win were two sparkling defensive plays by Snyder at third on hard-hit ground balls to record the first out in the eighth and ninth innings.ÂÂ
Nick Krolczyk, who relieved starter Jake Guengerich in the fifth, pitched three scoreless innings in relief to get his first collegiate win, then Nate Carter followed with two more scoreless inings to earn his and the Moccasins' first save of the season.
The Moccasins' eighth inning rally spoiled a standout pitching effort by Blazers starter Kevin Rogers, who allowed no runs and just one hit through seven innings. Weil, who didn't retire a batter, took the loss.
The Moccasin win came despite being the fact that FSC was outhit 11-4.
Sunday the Moccasins wrap up their trip to Valdosta with a 2:30 p.m. game against top-ranked West Florida.ÂÂ
