Valdosta State pushed across three runs in the top of the 10^th inning to claim the key Gulf South Conference win 5-2 and take the series, 2-1. The Blazers won the opening game on Friday at Olympic Field, 11-1 but the Flames came back to claim the nightcap 5-0.
 
Saturday's loss dropped the Flames to 20-11 overall and 9-9 against GSC competition. The Blazers improved to 20-10 and 11-7.
 
"I was proud of the way our guys battled the entire weekend," remarked coach Mark Brew after Saturday's tough loss. "We kept waiting for the big hit and it never came. Give Valdosta credit, they made some things happen in the 10^th inning and were able to secure the win."
 
Saturday, Game 3, Valdosta 5, Lee 2
The Flames out-hit the Blazers 13-11 but left 13 runners on base in Saturday's gut-wrenching defeat. Valdosta scored two runs in the top of the first inning and did not score again until tallying three big runs in the top of the 10^th.
 
The Flames scored a single run in the top of the third inning when Nate Wierzgac, who had two hits on the day, singled and later scored on the first of three hits by Drew Johnson. Lee tied the game in the bottom of the seventh when Tyler Payne and Spencer Mossburg singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Peyton Meeker.
 
Lee left the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth without a score and put two more runners on the base paths in the ninth, but again couldn't push a runner across the dish.
 
The Blazers went to work in the top of the 10^th when Chipper Andzel was hit by a pitch. David Wortham reached on an error and Clint Carr followed with his third hit of the day to drive home a run. Kendall Herron put down a perfect bunt to plate a second run and Tyler Homer recorded his second RBI of the afternoon with an infield out to second.
 
"I like the way Jumpei (Akanuma) gave us six solid innings after surrendering the two runs in the first inning," noted Brew. Akanuma worked six innings, allowing seven hits, two earned runs, struck out five and walked two. Kit Larson came on 3.1 innings and was charged with the loss. He gave up four hits, one earned run, struck out four and walked one.
 
"Kit gave us excellent innings," pointed out Brew. "We extended his role in an effort to find a way to win. Overall, our pitching was certainly good enough to win this afternoon." Joe Parete finished the contest with 0.2 innings.
 
Valdosta used four hurlers. Troy Massaro pitched the first five innings and allowed eight hits and one earned run, striking out four and issuing no free passes. Roman Donofro followed for 2.2 innings and Beau Blair came on to pick up the pitching win. He hurled 2.1 innings, allowing one hit while striking out four Flames and walking one.

The Flames will return to action on Tuesday at 6 p.m. playing host to long-time rival Tusculum College in a non-conference nine-inning game.