Carrollton, GA - The University of West Georgia baseball team wrapped up the three-game series against Valdosta State this afternoon at Cole Field. The Wolves won two spectacular games in the doubleheader on Saturday, but lost a game that went down to the wire in today's matchup by a final score of 5-4.
Jamie Sexton took the hill for the Wolves, looking to complete the three-game sweep of the Blazers. Sexton pitched in to the fifth inning, only surrendering two earned runs, but four runners did come in to score off of nine hits.
Trouble brewed for the Wolves in the top of the first inning, as Valdosta State scored two unearned runs off of two West Georgia errors.
But like for most of the game, the Wolves answered back in the bottom half of the inning to cut VSU's lead in half.
Sumner McWhorter picked began his 4-for-4 day with a two out triple over the centerfielder's head. He came into score off a wild pitch from Blazer's starting pitcher, Dominic DeMasi.
UWG would tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third inning, as
Shaquille Jackson led off the inning with a walk. After a sacrifice bunt from
Jake Shirley and a past ball fro DeMasi, Jackson advanced from first to third in a matter of a few pitches. McWhorter then picked up his second hit of the day on a single up the middle, scoring one Jackson's three runs in the game.
VSU would take back the lead in the top of the fifth inning, scoring two runs off of three hits. However, the Blazer's would leave three runners on base as
Artemis Kadkhodaian would catch a sharp line drive to end the inning.
With Valdosta State's patience and persistence offense at the plate, Sexton's pitch count was growing quickly as he faced 29 batters through 5.1 innings. He got in to a bit more of trouble in the top of the sixth, as VSU once again loaded up the bases. With one out in the inning, Head Coach
Skip Fite made the call to bring in
Taylor Craft in to the game. Craft immediately stopped the bleeding, as he effectively got the Blazers batter to hit into a double play to end the inning and keep the game 4-3.
Each team would add one run in the seventh inning to make the score 5-4. The Wolves threatened to tie up the game in the eighth and ninth innings, but came up just short leaving two runners on base in both situations.
With winning 2-of-3 against Valdosta State this weekend, West Georgia moves to 15-24 on the season and 9-14 in the Gulf South Conference. UWG is on the road all week, as they take on North Georgia on Tuesday, then Christian Brothers next weekend.
