The Lee Flames opened play in its new baseball stadium with a 5-0 loss to Valdosta State University. The Gulf South Conference victory moved the Blazers to 8-1, 1-0 (GSC). The Flames dropped to 3-5, 0-1. The two clubs continue the three-game series on Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader scheduled for 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Valdosta broke open the scoreless battle with three runs in the top of the sixth inning.  A pair of errors was critical as the Blazers scored the three runs on just one hit. DJ King opened the rally when he reached on an error. Mike Christopoulos put down a sacrifice bunt which resulted in another error. Parker Stephens reached on a fielder's choice and Andrew Williamson delivered a RBI single.

The margin grew to 5-0 in the seventh. Two more errors helped the Blazer cause. King walked and went all the way to third on a throwing error. Christopoulos followed with another free pass after a sacrifice bunt by Aaron Haughton. Stephens delivered a hit and a throwing error helped plate two more scores.

Josh Broughton had the game's only extra-base hit, a double, in the third inning. He also was credited with a RBI.

The five-run cushion was more than the Blazer hurlers needed. Lefty Tristan Cone worked six solid innings, surrendering only one hit, walking two and fanning five. Seth Gabel was just as strong. Over the final three innings, he allowed two hits with a strikeout. Cone (2-0) picked up the win.

On the other hand, Lee pitching was led by Alan Rickman. He pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three unearned runs, walking three and fanning three. Brandon Thompson was called on for 1.1 innings, giving up two hits, two runs (one earned) and walking three. Brandon Bolt came on to finish the day with 2.1 innings of outstanding pitching. He allowed two hits and no runs.

"Rickman did an excellent job. He gave us 5+ quality innings until we ran into the defensive issues in the 6th. Brandon Bolt did a nice job at the end as well," commented Lee head coach Mark Brew.

Lee managed only three hits. Tyler Payne had an infield hit while Justen Freeman and Parker Stahlman had one-base knocks. "We just aren't seeing it well at the plate right now. Hitting is contagious and it can change in a hurry. We need a good effort tomorrow on the mound and continued improvement at the plate," concluded Brew.