Valdosta State University’s baseball team is set to host Delta State University for a three-game series this weekend, starting on March 13, 2026. The Blazers, currently holding a record of 7-15 overall and 5-7 in the Gulf South Conference (GSC), will take the field at Billy Grant Field, with the first game scheduled for 14:00 local time. The second game will follow approximately 40 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1, while the series finale is slated for Saturday at 13:00.
The Blazers enter this matchup looking to improve after winning just one of their last five games. Despite this, they have shown competitive spirit against formidable opponents, including a narrow 3-2 victory over then-No. 8 West Alabama, where senior pitcher Drake LaRoche delivered a complete game. Earlier this week, Valdosta State showcased its offensive capabilities, scoring 14 runs and recording 18 hits in a thrilling 13-inning encounter against Embry-Riddle, though they fell to the nation’s top-ranked team, Tampa, last Tuesday.
Leading the Blazer offense is junior Charlie Banks, who boasts a .351 batting average, seven home runs, and 21 runs batted in (RBI), along with a remarkable on-base plus slugging (OPS) of 1.030. Banks further solidified his impressive season with two home runs in the recent match against Embry-Riddle. Another key player, senior Jackson Webster, has contributed significantly, hitting .291 with 16 hits and nine RBI, while maintaining a .443 on-base percentage. Sophomore Parker Ladd has also made a strong impact, with a .450 batting average, two home runs, and nine RBI since stepping into the starting lineup.
On the pitching front, Drake LaRoche has been a cornerstone of the Blazers’ rotation, holding a 3.89 ERA and striking out 29 batters over 37 innings. Junior Garrett Moody has also made six starts this season and leads the team with 34 strikeouts. Junior Jack Butler is expected to secure the third starting position for the series against Delta State.
Delta State arrives at Valdosta with a strong record of 13-7 overall and 9-3 in the GSC, placing them near the top of the conference standings. The Statesmen feature several standout hitters, such as Levi Lang (.361), Austin Estes (.343), and Tucker Jones (.333), the latter of whom has driven in 22 runs and successfully stolen 15 bases in as many attempts. On the mound, the Statesmen are anchored by Adrian Byrd, who holds an impressive 1.76 ERA with 38 strikeouts across 30.2 innings pitched.
Historically, Delta State holds a slight advantage in their all-time series against Valdosta State, leading 37-27 since 2003. In the previous season, the Statesmen triumphed in the series played in Cleveland, Mississippi, winning two out of three games.
As the Blazers prepare for this critical series, fans can follow live statistics, coverage, and streaming links by visiting vstateblazers.com. Additionally, updates will be provided through the team’s social media accounts, @VState_Blazers and @VState_Baseball.
