FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4-13-00

College Baseball: Valdosta State 12, AASU 6

VALDOSTA, Ga. (April 13) --VSU's Valdosta High connection helped lead the Blazers to a 12-6 win over Armstrong Atlantic State at Billy Grant Field.

Hot-hitting rightfielder Lance Walker hit his team-leading seventh and eighth home runs of the season, and utility player Jamie Thomas pitched three innings of one-hit relief to earn a save in his first pitching performance of the season.

Walker also turned a single into a hustling double as part of a 3-for-5, two-run, three-RBI night. No other player had more than one hit.

Catcher Dwight Pope added a two-run home run. Ryan Page had a hit and three walks, scoring twice.

The Blazers scored in seven of eight innings, including three in the first and three more in the sixth when Armstrong had got back to within 7-5.

Brett Bennett improved to 4-1 with his six-inning performance. Thomas struck out four, not allowing a walk.

Armstrong's freshman leftfielder Nick Snow was 4-for-4 with two RBI, including his sixth home run.

The game's start was delayed almost two hours, 30 minutes because of Armstrong's request for a later start and 1:21 due to rain.

VSU plays a critical Gulf South Conference East Division series this weekend at West Georgia. The Blazers are 2 1/2 games back of North Alabama for the third and last spot in the Gulf South tournament.