VALDOSTA — Got pitching?

Fifth-ranked Tampa does, especially starting pitching. Valdosta State isn’t far behind.

In a weekend where both teams combined for 13 runs in three games, both head coaches in the college baseball series at Billy Grant Field felt good about their pitchers. Then they shook their heads about the batters those pitchers had dominated.

Valdosta State (5-5) split a Sunday doubleheader with Tampa, winning the first game 3-2 in nine innings. Tampa won the finale, 4-0, behind Casey McKenzie’s four-hit, eight-strikeout complete game.

“All three starters for both teams did tremendous,” said Tampa head coach Joe Urso, who took the Spartans to the national championship game last season. “Two shutouts in a weekend, I’m pleased. Those were our 1-2-3 starters from last year.”

Tampa (11-4) also won Saturday’s game, 4-0.

“I commended the pitchers,” said Valdosta State head coach Tommy Thomas. “The only problem we had was getting the changeup up. When the changeup was down, it was a great pitch for us. It got a number of outs.

‘But everytime it was up, I can show you where 50 percent of the time they got hits — including the home run which broke out back.”

Thomas left the weekend feeling his Blazers can battle with Division II’s best.

“They’re a perennial national power, and we fought them tooth and nail for three games,” Thomas said. “But we still don’t have anyone hitting in clutch situations. Nobody. None.”

In the opener, Valdosta State answered Tampa’s single runs in the fourth and eighth innings, then won the game in the ninth when Ryan Chromek’s one-out slap single bounced over pitcher Justin Boza’s head. It scored Robert Morgan (fielder’s choice) from third.

Chromek had entered the game as a pinch runner in the previous inning, and tied the game 2-2 on John McDonald’s double to left-center. Chromek (running after Greg Connell singled) had gone to second on Micah Smith’s sacrifice bunt and to third on a wild pitch.

In the lone situation Tampa used its bullpen this weekend, the relievers were touched for six hits and two walks in three innings.

Both starters were effective, though neither were around for the decision. Tampa’s Joey Watts went 5 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and three walks. He struck out six. VSU’s lone run off Watts came in the fourth, when Connell sprinted toward home from third as Watts was to throw a pitch. Watts balked, and Connell scored VSU’s first run in 14 innings.

VSU’s Robbie Wachman struck out nine, walking four with seven hits in eight innings. Michael Martinez pitched a perfect ninth to earn his second win.

Josh Owsley and McDonald each had two hits (both had three hits apiece on Sunday).

In the nightcap, a four-run Tampa fifth was the lone dent either team could put in starters Casey McKenzie (4-0) and Zach Stewart (0-1).

The runs came with two outs. Roberto Valienti drove home Rocky Rocamora (single) with a single. After Alex Castellvi singled, Tim Duff hit a three-run home run to left field. Duff finished the day 3-for-6 with two runs scored.

“We were supposed to get him out with the curveballs,” Thomas said. “But he never bit on the low ones we through him, then got the changeup up.”

Stewart struck out nine, walking one and allowing seven his before leaving in the sixth. Grafton Kent struck out two in his four outs of work.

VSU goes to Albany State Thursday, then hosts the Nijem Jewelers Classic Friday through Sunday at Billy Grant Field. Dowling, Florida Southern and Georgia College are also participating.