Written by Alex Tostado

Valdosta State (16-12) pitcher Pete Whittingslow set a career-best 11 strikeouts in a 5-1 victory over West Georgia (19-14) in Game 1 however the Blazers fell 6-1 in Game 2 of doubleheader Saturday afternoon.

The senior in a complete game gave up only two hits and one run, earning his third win of season (3-1).

“I was excited to go against their best guy,” Whittingslow said. “I was looking forward to it all week so when I came out today I just really made an effort to get guys out and have a good game and have a chance to win.”

Head Coach Greg Guilliams was pleased with the lefty’s performance in the first half of the doubleheader.

“I told Pete, ‘I don’t mean to put any pressure on you, but the guy we are facing today, the most runs he has given up all year is two,’ and he said, ‘that doesn’t bother me at all because I will throw a shut out,” Guilliams said.

Whittingslow retired 24 straight batters before a committed error allowed a runner to score in the ninth inning.

“I knew that it (the streak) was going on but every time I took the mound I thought, ‘let’s get the first out, and then get the second and then the third’,” Whittingslow said. “It wasn’t as much how many in a row as just get one at a time.”

In the second half of the double header, the Wolves got their offense going and won 6-1.

“For us to come out that second game and play as poorly as we did, it was disappointing,” Guilliams said.

VSU pitcher Nick Fogarty struggled in the early going of the game.

Fogarty gave up three runs and four hits in only 2/3 of an inning.

After the weekend, VSU has won eight of its last 10 games.

The Blazers host Thomas University Wednesday night at Billy Grant Field.