Box Score
MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Valdosta State scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to defeat Harding 4-3 in the first round of the 2008 Gulf South Conference Tournament on Saturday at USA Stadium. The loss drops the Bisons to the losers' bracket where they will meet Southern Arkansas on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Harding (27-22) took its first lead of the game at 3-2 in the top of the eighth inning. Junior Wisley Correa singled to lead off the inning, and freshman Charles Bradley came on to pinch run. Freshman Tyler Thompson sacrificed Bradley to second, and Bradley moved to third on a wild pitch. One out later, pinch hitter Ben Rodriguez lined a single to center to score Bradley with the go-ahead run.
Valdosta State (35-16-1) strung together four consecutive singles with one out in the bottom of the ninth to score two runs off Harding reliever D.A. Kremer (3-4). The game-winning hit came from Blaine Wilson with the bases loaded and one out. Wilson's liner split two Harding outfielders in left-center field.
Harding was playing in its first GSC Tournament since going 2-2 in 2002.
The Bisons had only six hits with the linup's first three hitters going 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts. Valdosta State used five different pitchers that combined for 12 strikeouts.
Senior Justin Lamb (4-1), the Blazers final pitcher, collected the victory.
Sophomore Troy Keith started for the Bisons and allowed only one earned run and three hits in 5.0 innings. He walked five and struck out three.
Harding trailed 2-1 in the sixth but tied the game with consecutive doubles to lead off the frame by Correa and Thompson.
Correa was the only Bison with two hits. Daniel Muniz had two of Valdosta State's seven hits.
