VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University (7-3) slipped by on a close on Tuesday against Georgia Southwestern State (8-8). Thanks to some good base-running and a little luck, the Blazers won, 9-7.

“It was a fortunate win today,” said head coach Tommy Thomas after the game. “The offense sure didn’t impress me today.”

After a scoreless first inning and a half, the Blazers struck first in the bottom of the second. Jud Seymour got on with a walk to start the inning and Jared Goff got to first on an error. Rusty Harris then came up and laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. With runners on second and third, Nick Phillips knocked a two RBI triple to center field. Scott Brooker came up next and drove in Phillips to make the score at the end of the inning 3-0.

The Hurricanes answered back in the fourth after Brad Altone loaded the bases, Carlos Height drilled a grand slam barely over the left field wall. Georgia Southwestern would hold on to its 4-3 lead until the bottom of the fifth inning.

“Georgia Southwestern swung the bats pretty good tonight, they impressed me,” said Thomas.

After Brian Hicks and Nick Copeland got on base with walks, the Hurricanes brought in reliever Jason Bailey. Bailey got Justin Hill to ground into a double play, but Hicks was able to come around to score and tie the game up at 4 apiece.

Georgia Southwestern answered back again in the top of the sixth. Josh McDonald hit a sacrifice fly to center to drive in Justin McDonald. The 5-4 score would remain until the bottom of the seventh inning.

In the seventh Clay Spivey came in to pitch for Valdosta State and went three up and three down. In the bottom of the inning, the Blazers would take the lead for good. Brooker started the inning with a walk and Hicks got on base with a bunt to the pitcher. Nick Copeland came up next and laid down a bunt to the third baseman who overthrew first and allowed two runs to score. A wild pitch would bring in Copeland, and the score at the end of the inning was 7-5, Valdosta on top.

“We had outstanding bunting tonight from Hicks and Copeland. The pitching also did pretty good, especially Spivey.”

The Blazers added what turned out to be the game saving runs in the bottom of the eighth. Harris and Phillips both scored for VSU and put the Blazers up 9-5.

In the top of the ninth, Stewart Thomas came in to pitch for VSU. Thomas started the inning sluggish, throwing like Charlie Sheen from “Major League” and beaning his first three batters. He would redeem himself and force a double play the next batter up, but one run made it through. Thomas ended the inning on a positive note. After allowing another run, he struck out the last batter and gave VSU the win.

“The bottom line is that it was a good win. We won the game, and no one can take it back,” said Thomas.

Spivey (1-0) got his first win for VSU going two innings, allowing no runs and no hits. Bailey (0-1) had the loss after allowing three runs in two innings of work.

Hicks went 2-for-4 on the day with two runs and one RBI. Phillips went 2-for-4 and also had two runs with two RBI.

The Hurricanes were led by Height, who went 2-for-5 with 5 RBI and one run.

Next up for the Blazers will be a three game home stand against the reigning National Champions, Florida Southern. The Moccasins are a returning powerhouse with 21 team homers already this season.

“I’m hopeful, but I don’t know what to expect. We’re throwing our three best pitchers at them this weekend,” said Thomas.

“If we don’t start generating some offense though, I don’t know how long we can survive.”

VSU will host Florida Southern at Billy Grant Field starting Friday at 6 p.m.