VALDOSTA –– Behind strong hitting and a big fifth inning, the Valdosta State baseball team downed visiting Saint Leo 11-6 Tuesday evening to even the season series with the Lions. VSU improved to 21-17 on the year, while SLU fell to 17-18.

VSU banged out 14 hits on 11 runs with three errors, while SLU had six runs on 12 hits with three errors. VSU was led by junior Jowenrick Daantji as he was 3 of 4 with three runs scored and a RBI, while going 4 of 4 in stolen bases for the game. Senior Josh Broughton went 2 of 4 with a run scored and three RBI and senior Andrew Williamson was 1 for 3 with a run scored, RBI and a home run. VSU went a season-high nine of ten in stolen bases for the game. VSU senior pitcher Call Graham earned the win (1-1) in relief, going one inning, allowing one hit and he fanned one.

For the Lions, five different players had two hits each. Jacob Reimold was 2 for 5 with two runs scored, a RBI and a home run. Jeremy Peel (2-3) took the loss in relief, going 3.1 innings, allowing five hits, four earned runs, walked one and fanned three.

In the bottom of the first, VSU put two on with a pair of walks off Saint Leo starter Kaleb Huxford. Two errors followed plating two runs on a single from senior Josh Broughton for a 2-0 lead.

SLU put two on in the top of the second, but VSU junior starter Alex Tyson got out of the jam with a pop up to shortstop. In the bottom of the second, VSU added a run on a ground out to second on a high chopper from junior Seth Caballes as SLU second baseman Danny Torres made a great move to get the ball and throw Caballes out at first for a 3-0 lead.

Saint Leo plated two runs in the fourth on a RBI single Corey Mumaw and scored the second run on a RBI ground out for a 3-2 VSU lead. In the fifth the Lions added another run to tie the game on a RBI double down the left field line from Jared Morello for a 3-3 score.

In the bottom of the frame with one out, VSU used a single from junior Jowenrick Daantji and he stole second. Broughton singled home Daantji and then, after a stolen base by Broughton, senior DJ King laced a RBI single and junior Logan Stephens plated a RBI double for a 6-3 lead. Following a new pitcher by the Lions, senior Aaron Haughton singled home Stephens for a 7-3 lead.

SLU cut the deficit in half in the top of the sixth with a round-tripper from Jacob Reimold, his ninth long ball of the season and then had a RBI double from Derek Gibree down the left field line for a 7-5 score. The Blazers kept up thieving bags in the bottom of the sixth as senior Mack Hathcock reached on a hit batsmen and Daantji laced a great bunt down the third base line and Hathcock scored after he stole second for an 8-5 lead. Broughton hit a sacrifice fly to right for a RBI and a 9-5 lead. Through six innings, VSU was 8 of 9 in the game in stolen bases, while Daantiji was a perfect 4 of 4 in thefts.

Senior Andrew Williamson began the bottom of seventh with his fourth home run of the season and a 10-5 VSU lead. Daantji put one off the fence in left center for a RBI double and an 11-5 lead. SLU added one run in the top of the ninth for an 11-6 final.

VSU continues its five-game home stand this weekend with a key Gulf South Conference series as Christian Brothers visits, beginning with a doubleheader Saturday at 2 p.m. at Billy Grant Field at Tommy Thomas Park, followed by a single game Sunday at 1 p.m.

Fans can access links to live stats, audio streaming, ticket information and more at vstateblazers.com on the baseball schedule page. Chris Caray will have play-by-play coverage of the games at 92.1 WDDQ FM and on talk921.com.