OXFORD, Ala. — West Florida are the 2023 Gulf South Conference Champions, defeating Valdosta State, 10-8, in 11 innings in the title game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala. 

With the victory, West Florida also claimed the GSC recipient of the conference’s automatic bid of the 2023 NCAA Division II Baseball regional tournament. It marked the the Argonauts’ third conference tournament crown.

CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

G15: WEST FLORIDA 10, VALDOSTA STATE 8 • Box Score
A low-scoring pitcher’s duel through seven innings, the bats for both teams heated up giving way to a 12-run eighth in the deciding game. 

Tied 2-2, West Florida hitters went on tear during the top of the eighth with RBI from Jadon Fryman, True Fontenot, Jacob Bailey, Dean Hortz and Preston Moore.

Then in the home half of the frame, Bryson Gandy trimmed the deficit to 8-4 with a two-run home run. Two batters later, Jose Crisostomo-Bock belted a two-run pinch-hit homer pulling Valdosta State within two. David Crawford then scored on JP Gates double before Hunter Stowe crossed home to make it 8-8.

In the 10th, Mark Townsend provided the final margin, as he notched a pinch-hit two-run shot to help West Florida lift the GSC tournament trophy.

G14: WEST FLORIDA 17, DELTA STATE 1 • Box Score
The Argonauts reached the championship game after they blitzed Delta State outhitting the Statesmen, 17-9.

UWF took control of the elimination game early as it plated eight runs in the opening inning on seven hits. Darrien McDowell opened the scoring with a two-run homer and capped the first inning explosion with a two-run double. True Fontenot also had a two-run hit during the frame while Josh Prizina and Jackson Grabsky pushed one runner across each. 

UWF went on to add three runs in the second before hanging a six-spot in the sixth. Delta State’s lone run came in the fifth as Kirkland Trahan drove in Noah Thigpen.