VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State Blazers dropped the rubber match versus the Auburn Montgomery Warhawks on a chilly Sunday afternoon. An 11-run top half of the first for the Warhawks doomed the Blazers, as AUM would go on to win, 15-4.

The Blazers drop to 5-3 overall with a 1-2 record in the GSC, while Auburn Montgomery improved to 6-5 overall and 2-1 in the GSC.

Sophomore Dennis Pierce had another good showing for the Blazers, driving in two runs on two hits while also scoring two runs himself. Right behind him in the order, junior Hunter Stowe did his job as the cleanup hitter, driving in two runs on two hits in three at-bats. Senior catcher Jacob Harper went 2-2 at the plate, as he raised his season batting average to .412.

On the mound, head coach Greg Guilliams used six different arms in today’s contest, with all but one allowing a run.

In the top of the first, the Warhawks jumped all over the Blazers, as the first four batters reached base to have the bags juiced with no one out. A sacrifice fly from Zach Dew put AUM up 1-0. The next batter got hit by a pitch to make it 2-0. An errant throw from VSU’s third baseman plated another run for the Warhawks as they kept piling it on.

Three straight singles brought home Auburn Montgomery baserunners. With the bases loaded yet again, a bases clearing double from AUM’s Cooper Doughman made it 11-0. The Blazers got back a run in the bottom of the first with a double from Hunter Stowe to make it 11-1.

Auburn Montgomery scored two more in the top of the second inning off an error to make it 13-1. Both teams went silent after that, until Pierce doubled to left field to plate senior Ryan Romano and junior Pedro Moreno, making it 13-3 in favor of the Warhawks. AUM came right back in the top half of the sixth, as Tyrese Rooks was walked with the bases loaded to make it a 14-4 lead.

Auburn Montgomery was able to bring home one more in the top of the seventh, and due to mercy rule, the game was called through seven innings, with the Warhawks being victorious in the rubber match over the Blazers, 15-4.

Valdosta State was to host Quincy on Tuesday at Billy Grant Field. After road games at Lee and Saint Leo, they return home March 1 to start three-game weekend series against Union (Tennessee).