Carrollton, GA - For the first time in several seasons, the West Georgia Wolves are headed into the final weekend of the season with a chance at reaching the postseason, but standing in the way is an old nemesis, the Valdosta State Blazers.
The Wolves come into the weekend with an 18-27 overall record and 5-12 in Gulf South Conference action. That is good enough for fifth place in the GSC East, one game ahead of West Alabama and two games behind the Blazers at 7-11.
The scenario is simple for a West Georgia postseason trip, as the Wolves must sweep the Blazers on the road, with the three-game regular season finale set to begin tomorrow in Valdosta at 3 p.m.
When the two teams met in Carrollton in March, things were a little different for the Wolves, as West Georgia was in the midst of a string of 15 losses in 17 games. But since UWG hit the road for a 10-game swing on April 6, the Wolves have won 9-of-14 games, including the last two GSC weekend series.
In the first series in Carrollton, West Georgia took the opener 8-6, but Valdosta State roughed up an injured #
Jarod Slaven# in the second game, winning 11-5. That momentum carried over to Sunday, where VSU won 12-2 in seven innings.
Since his return on April 6, Slaven has been one of the top pitchers in the Gulf South Conference with a 0.86 ERA. He has two complete games in that span, one shutout and 15 strikeouts and was named the GSC East Division Pitcher of the Week on Tuesday.
As a team, the Wolves are hitting .352 in the last 14 games, with second and first basemen #
Stuart Drew# and #
Andy Marinelli# leading the way. Drew is hitting .466 in that span and is third in the GSC in batting average a .434 overall. Marinelli has a .449 batting average with three home runs and is tied with 15 RBI in that span.
Another catalyst offensively has been shortstop #
Garrett May#, who has been a power surge for the lineup. In the past 14 games, he has five home runs and 15 RBI, both leading hte team.
The Wolves and Blazers hit the diamond at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and fans can follow via live stats at the following link.
Valdosta State Live Stats
