VALDOSTA — Every run counts in baseball. Just ask Valwood.

The Valiants spotted Citizens Christian Academy of Douglas an 8-1 lead Monday afternoon, then nearly came all the way back thanks to a wild seventh inning rally. But in the end, Valwood couldn’t find a way to score the most important run of all, as the Patriots held on for an 8-7 victory.

“I’m proud of the group that came in there,” said Valwood coach Brett Martin, noting that the Valiants used five pinch-hitters in the final inning. “They did what we hadn’t done all day, which was swing the bat. We made some crucial mistakes at crucial.

“That’s the thing that I told the guys, is that every run is important. If you make a mistake, and a run scores in the second inning, that’s the difference in the game. You never know.”

Two golden scoring opportunities went by the wayside for Valwood (2-3) prior to its last-gasp rally. Citizens Christian starter Marshall Manning walked the bases full with no outs in the bottom of the first, but tagged out Justin Hobdy at the plate after the left fielder tried to score on a wild pitch. The Valiants scored only one run in the inning and none in the second after again loading the bases.

“The first inning was big to me,” said Martin. “I think we really let them off the hook there.”

Trailing 6-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Brian Reveron appeared to hit a leadoff double to break up a Patriots’ no-hitter. But the third baseman was called out after CCA (2-2) appealed at first base. Giseppi Pistelli then hit a double that would have scored Reveron.

That play suddenly loomed large once the Valiants came to life in the bottom of the seventh. Adam DeLong got on board thanks to a bases-loaded error that scored Will Crane and Travis Woods. Reveron made amends with an RBI single to plate Austin Glennon and the lead was down to 8-4.

After Thompson Gooding singled to load the bases, Chad Gallahan drove in DeLong with a hit and advanced to second thanks to an error on the same play that allowed Reveron to score. Citizens Christian sent Jay Crosby to the mound to preserve a suddenly shaky 8-6 lead.

Crosby got a groundout from John Miller, but Gooding scored to cut the lead to 8-7. But the reliever struck out Hunter Casey to end the game earn the save.

Valwood starter Johnny Holcombe (0-1) took the loss, surrendering three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out one over 4 1/3 innings.

Jared Roberts got the decision for Citizens Christian after going 4 2/3 innings in relief of Marshall. He gave up six runs, two earned, also on five hits and four walks while striking out one.

Crosby went 4-for-4 with three RBIs for the Patriots. Sonny Roberts was 2-for-3 with a double, while Steven Acorn also finished 2-for-3.

Valwood plays on Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Thomasville against Brookwood.