SIAC Champions fall to Valdosta State; Stillman Tigers end season in Tampa

TAMPA, Florida  – Valdosta State defeated Stillman 6-2 in the first elimination contest of the 2013 NCAA Division II South Region Tournament at Spartan Field in Tampa.

After Stillman left a runner stranded in the top of the first, Valdosta State jumped out early scoring five in the bottom of the inning.  While the Tigers routinely outscore their opponents in the early innings (74-26 in the first inning), it was the Blazers who triggered the early scoring output.  A Jake Fields single to left scored Hunter Thompson for the opening run of the game before four of the next six batters each drove in a run.  Stillman starting pitcher Joey Falletta registered one out against eight batters allowing five runs and walking two.

Valdosta State would add another run in the bottom of the third when Cooper Lemonds homered to left field.

Stillman broke into the scoring column in the top of the fourth when Kyle Smith scored on a Fernando Tanaka fielder's choice.  Stillman added another run in the top of the sixth inning when Kameron McCreless scored on Ken Perkey's single to right center field.

In the game, Kameron McCreless went 2-for-3 with a run scored while Fernando Tanaka and Ken Perkey each went 2-for-4 with an RBI.  Seth Booth went 2-for-5.  On the mound, Kevin McNorton worked 7 2/3 innings striking out four while allowing one run on five hits.

For Valdosta State (34-17), Bryant Hayman, Cooper Lemonds and Daniel Hoover each had two hits in the game.  Dom Demasi worked six innings striking out four in the win.  Ben Weil worked 1 2/3 innings striking out two for the save.

Stillman ends its season with a 30-16 overall record and the 2013 SIAC Championship.

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