VALDOSTA – As the season goes on, the Valdosta State baseball team is getting the bat on the ball more and more but are still getting wins from the other side of the ball.

Robert Petrucci pitched six innings, allowing five hits and two strikeouts for his second win of the season in a 7-2 Blazers’ victory against Augusta State Sunday.

The Blazers managed a season-high 15 hits while leaving 12 runners on base.

“We hit the ball pretty good,” VSU coach Tommy Thomas said. “We didn’t get enough production out of the number of hits we got.

I’d like to have a little more production, but at the same time it’s improvement and that’s the big thing.”

The Blazers, who have had 33 hits in five games leading up to this weekend’s series have gained the improvement under hitting coach Jason Brett.

“We’re starting to get better,” Thomas said. “We’re not taking as many pitches as we have in the past.”

The Blazers came out swinging early, scoring three runs in the first inning, taking on two in the fifth one in the sixth and one in the eighth.

The Blazers seven runs is one behind an 8-3 win against Saint Leo Feb. 14.

“Looking for those double figures though,” Thomas said. “Overall we can’t be unhappy, we’ve got to be very pleased with two out of three. We’re not hitting all that good of course we did get 15 hits but overall the team has not been hitting that good.”

Brian Hicks led the Blazers with three hits followed by Kohle Paul and Justin Hill with two a piece.

Petrucci was relieved by Justin Lamb in the seventh inning as he pitched three strikeouts while allowing one run.

“Once again you can’t deny the good performance of Rob Petrucci and Justin Lamb,” Thomas said.

VSU also showed sparkling defense as several Blazers flashed the glove.

“Outfield and infield has been just extremely pleasing right now you have to say the name of our game is pitching and defense,” Thomas said. “We just have to get a little more productivity and a little more runs scored.”

The Blazers’ three game series against Augusta State was moved to Valdosta after weather threatened the would-be games in Augusta.

“We appreciate Augusta making the adjustment and going here instead of us going there and probably not getting all three in and freezing to death,” Thomas said. “Although it’s not much warmer here, but it’s a lot colder there I guarantee you.”

The Blazers send Brad Altone to the mound against Georgia Southwestern State at 3 p.m. Tuesday.