VALDOSTA — It was another tough night for the Blazers as they fell at home 7-6 to Armstrong Atlantic State University. The loss drops VSU to 21-25 overall.

“It was a heartbreaker tonight,” said VSU head coach Tommy Thomas after the game. “Overall, it was a good effort. I thought the boys gave it all they had.”

Valdosta State struck first in the bottom of the first. Brian Hicks led off the inning with a single and was driven in three batters later when Jared Goff drilled a double to left field. The game remained 1-0 until the bottom of the third when VSU expanded their lead.

The Blazers put together a three-hit, three-run inning in the third. Chris Harris led off the inning with a single and was just the first of three batters in a row to get on base, Goff with a walk and Justin Hill with a single to left. Harris was the first to score when Richard Flores drilled a single to left field.

With the bases loaded Nick Phillips came up to bat. A wild throw by the catcher on an Alberto Castellon bunt brought in Flores and Hill, but Goff was tagged at the plate. Two of the three runs in the inning were unearned.

VSU junior Clay Spivey started the game for VSU and only allowed two hits through three innings, until the fourth were things went all wrong for the Blazers. The Pirates were able to put together five runs on three hits, two walks, two hit batters, and one error. Brad Altone came in in relief and gave up three runs before getting the last two outs.

The fifth inning went scoreless and the Pirates were able to add an insurance run in the top of the sixth. VSU, however, answered right back with a run of its own.

Phillips led off the inning with a single and was later driven in on a Scott Brooker single to left field. The Blazers put together three hits, but after a double play VSU left one on base to end the inning.

After an eighth inning run by VSU made the score 7-6 the Blazers looked to be in good shape in the ninth. Relief pitcher Chris Wheaton did his part as he allowed only one hit in the last two innings and struck out four.

Goff led off the inning by reaching on an error and two singles in a row had the Blazers looking at bases loaded with no outs. Castellon came up and drilled a line drive, but it went right to the third baseman for the first out.

Phillips came up next and tried to lay down a squeeze bunt, but missed on a low pitch. Pinch runner Wade West was already at the plate and was caught stealing by the catcher. The third out came on a strike out and the Pirates escaped with the win.

“That was so much tough luck for the guys,” said Thomas. “You take your chances, but it just didn’t work out.

“This team deserves something good to happen to them. They have worked hard all year long.”

For the Blazers, Hill went 3-for-3 with a run. Flores went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run. Goff went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Anderson went 2-for-4 with a run.

For the Pirates, Miguel Donate went 3-for-5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI’s. Austin Ducey was the winning pitcher, going two innings in relief, allowing four hits and one run.

The Blazers will play their final games of the season this weekend when they head to West Florida for a do-or-die series. VSU must sweep and look for help in order to make it into the playoffs.