FLORENCE
-- North Alabama scored one run in the
bottom of the ninth and had two runners in
scoring position before Valdosta State was
able to end the threat and hand UNA a 4-2
loss in the final game of a Gulf South
Conference series at Mike Lane Field.
Valdosta State
led the entire way after Sho Kohata's solo
homer in the first inning, but UNA closed a
4-1 gap with a run in the seventh and then
mounted another threat in the ninth. Down
4-2, UNA's Collin Murphy got a one- out
single and scored on a double by Jeffery
Ritter. Josh Graham followed with a single
that sent Ritter to third, and pinch runner
Jarrett Shepherd stole second. After
striking out Ross Parker, Justin Lamb took a
ground ball off the leg from Cole Mitchell
but was able to recover and throw him out to
end the threat.
VSU scored
single runs in the first, second and third
innings and Blazers' starter Russ Crum
carried a shutout into the fifth before he
was pulled for Lamb. Crum allowed no runs
and four hits in 4 1/3 innings. Lamb allowed
two runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings to
get the win. Brennen Auerbach, the first of
three Lion pitchers in the game, took the
loss to drop to 3-2. Matt Vandenheuvel was
solid in relief, allowing just one run on
four hits in 6 1/3 innings of relief. UNA
out-hit VSU 11-9, led by Ritter with three
hits.
Printable Game
Statistics - Game 40 - Valdosta State
