Valdosta, Ga. — The Delta State University baseball team lost both games of a Gulf South Conference doubleheader to Valdosta State on Friday at Billy Grant Field. The Blazers won the first game 2-1 and repeated the result in the nightcap.
In the opener, Cooper Walls gave Delta State an early lead with a solo home run in the third inning. Valdosta State responded in the sixth, with Isaiah Pou doubling and scoring on an RBI single by Will Beckham to tie the game. The Blazers won in the ninth when Parker Ladd scored on a sacrifice fly from Jackson Webster after reaching on a walk.
Walls finished 1-for-3 with the home run and an RBI. Jacob Hill, Austin Batts, and Austin Estes each recorded a hit for the Statesmen. On the mound, Adrian Byrd pitched six innings, allowing one run and striking out eight. Ryan Herbison took the loss.
The second game followed a similar pattern, with Valdosta State winning 2-1 in a seven-inning game. The Blazers scored twice in the fourth inning on a bases-loaded walk by Isaiah Pou and an RBI single by Jason Mack. Delta State responded in the fifth when Walls doubled and scored on an RBI single by Estes.
Valdosta State’s Jack Butler pitched a complete game, striking out 10 and securing the win. Walls led Delta State offensively with a double and a run scored. Hill, Tucker Jones, and Estes also contributed hits. Aidan McCrady was charged with the loss after allowing two runs in 3.2 innings, with Alex McHale pitching 2.1 scoreless innings in relief.
The series continues tomorrow with the finale scheduled for the afternoon.
