DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Saturday's twin-bill with Pfeiffer University and North Georgia College and State proved to be bitter sweet for the Delta State University baseball team, as the Statesmen (1-2) defeated Pfeiffer (2-3) 8-4, but lost the second game to NGCSU (2-0) 11-10 at Bob Stein Park. 

In game one, the Statesmen offense awoke early as DSU erupted for three runs in the first and two in the second to take a 5-0 lead. Steven Oswald connected on an RBI single in the first and Kellen Bozeman slapped a two-RBI double in the second to spark the Statesmen. 

The Eagles answered back in the bottom of the second on a solo home run by Jason Dunn (2) to make it a 5-1 DSU lead. 

Cade Hoggard's RBI single to left put the Statesmen on top 6-1 in the fourth, but PU came right back with run of their own in the bottom of the inning. 

In the fifth, Michael Niemann extended the lead to 7-1 on an RBI single to right. 

The Eagles came back with two more runs in the bottom of the bottom of the seventh to cut the DSU lead to 7-3. 

The Statesmen tacked on an insurance run in the eighth, as Kellen Bozeman scored from second on an RBI single by Anthony Palasini. 

Marcus Wilson closed out the ninth for the Statesmen win. 

The Statesmen finished the game with eight runs on 16 hits with two errors. The Eagles plated four runs on eight hits with one error. Both teams struggled to plat runners on base, as DSU left 12 stranded and PU 11. 

David Mooney (1-0) picked up his first career win as a Statesman. Mooney pitched 4.1 innings allowing two runs on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Cesar Rodriquez worked 2.2 innings in relief allowing two runs on one hit with three strikeouts. Wilson pitched the final two innings of relief, surrendering just one hit. 

Bozeman paced the Statesmen at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Clay Sartain went 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored, while Niemann slapped four hits in six at-bats with a run scored. 

J. McDaniel (0-1) took the loss for the Eagles after pitching 4.2 innings, allowing seven runs on 12 hits with a walk and two strikeouts. 

In game two, 10 combined pitchers would work an offensive slugfest between the Statesmen and Saints. Unfortunately for the green-and-white, the Saints would have the final at-bat. 

The Statesmen scratched home a run in the first, as Michael Niemann scored from second on Devin Goodwin's RBI single up the middle. 

NGCSU answered back with two runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-1 lead into the second. 

DSU erupted for four runs in their half of the second to take a 5-2 lead. Kellen Bozeman sent a blast to the wall scoring three runs. Cade Hoggard followed with an RBI single to left that plated Bozeman.
After both teams failed to score in their next at-bats, the Saints would claw out a run in the third to make it 5-3 DSU on Andre Airich's RBI single. 

DSU added a run in the fifth on Bozeman's first career home run as a Statesman, a deep shot to left, which extended the lead to 6-3. 

Statesmen starter Joey Haston would run into trouble in the fifth, as NGCSU scored six runs on four hits to claim lead 6-7. The Saints big blow came on Anders Osters (1) three-run home run to right field off Haston. 

Delta State answered right back with four runs of their own, led by Bozeman's two-RBI double. Palasini and Oswald also provided RBIs for the green-and-white offense. 

Leading 10-7, the Saint bullpen would lockdown the Statesmen the rest of the way, providing an opportunity to get back into the game. 

In the bottom of the seventh, NGCSU's Adam Baker launched a towering two-run home run to left field that cut the lead to 10-9. 

Both teams recorded a scoreless eighth inning. 

After the Statesmen went down in order in the ninth, the Saints made their move. With one out, Airich slapped a double off the right field wall off Statesmen reliever Brandon Hall. Jordan Erisman followed with a walk. 

Coach Mike Kinnison called on DSU closer Levi Bishop with one out and runners at first and second. Baker, who smashed the home run to cut the lead to one, delivered again with the game-winning two-RBI single to right. 

NGCSU finished the game with 11 runs on 14 hits and one error, while DSU plated 10 runs on 16 hits with no errors. 

The Saints Justin Yackee (1-0) picked up the win after working the final 1.2 innings. Yackee didn't allow a hit, but did tally one strikeout. 

Brandon Hall (0-1) took the loss for the Statesmen. Hall worked 1.1 innings allowing two runs on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Starter Joey Haston did not factor in the decision. 

Kellen Bozeman went 4-for-4 with six RBIs in the loss. Cade Hoggard was 3-for-5 with a run scored and RBI. Palasini, Sartain, and Goodwin all recorded two hit performances. 

The Statesmen and Saints will conclude the series Sunday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Bob Stein Park in Dahlonega, Ga. 

DSU returns to the friendly confines of Ferriss Field Tuesday and Wednesday for a mid-week series with the University of Montevallo. Both games will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network. Matt Jones and Dan Hawthorne will have the call starting 15 minutes prior to first pitch.