MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia College & State University used an eight-run third inning to break open its non-conference baseball game against Valdosta State University and then had to hold on for an 11-9 decision Tuesday (March 24) evening at John Kurtz Field.

The Bobcats improved to 13-17 overall, while the Blazers fell to 11-19. GCSU is off this weekend from Peach Belt Conference action, but returns to play Monday (March 30) when they travel to Hickory, North Carolina, for a 6 p.m. contest against No. 13 Lenoir-Rhyne University.

The game was a wild one as the teams combined to use 17 pitchers and saw 20 runs, 27 hits and nine errors in the contest that lasted three hours and 27 minutes.

After Valdosta State jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings as the Blazers scored two unearned runs due to GCSU errors, GCSU erupted for eight runs on eight hits in the third. Carson Phillips had an RBI single, while Cole Huddleston and Blake Bellflower each drove in two with their hits. Tanner Patterson drove in another run with a bases-loaded walk.

The Blazers got a run back in the fifth, but GCSU scored twice in the sixth on a throwing error and once more in the seventh on an infield single by Phillips to open up an 11-4 advantage. 

The Blazers got back in the game as they took advantage of two GCSU errors to score five unearned runs in the eighth inning to pull with two runs at 11-9.

Griffin Davis earned his sixth save of 2026 by getting the final four outs for the Bobcats and preserving the win for reliever Hogan Mayhew (2-0).

GCSU collected 14 hits - all singles - with Zachary Paulling, Evan Cowan and Phillips leading the way with three hits each, while Luke Boone had two. Phillips, Huddleston and Bellflower earch drove in two for the Bobcats.



About GCSU Athletics 
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for five consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won six consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics. 

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