CLEVELAND – The Lady Statesmen exploded at the plate for 19 runs in two games, sweeping the season series with Henderson State with a pair of eight-run victories 9-1 and 10-2. 

After Henderson State (16-30, 5-17 Gulf South Conference) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a home run by Tori Gast, the Lady Statesmen (23-15, 11-7 GSC) scored three runs in three of their four offensive innings, highlighted by Kristi Basso's three-run home run to leftfield in the bottom of the fourth. 

Six other Lady Statesmen each had one RBI in the game, and Edie Oliver (15-7) held the Lady Reddies to just two more hits over the final four innings to earn her fifth win of the week. The junior allowed one run on three hits with nine strikeouts in five innings. 

Melissa Decker started the game, but was chased after just 2.1 innings after allowing six runs on seven hits with two walks and one strikeout. 

In game two, the Lady Statesmen scored in all six innings, with a pair of two-run home runs from Brooke Allgood, who finished the game with five RBIs. 

Kate Moreland (4-3) allowed two runs, one earned, in the first two innings, but held the Lady Reddies scoreless over the final four frames to pick up the victory. The junior allowed seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts in six innings. 

Patti Collins (8-14) was charged with the loss, allowing seven runs, four earned, on nine hits with three walks and a strikeout. 

The Lady Statesmen finished the day with 25 hits, and every player with an at-bat had at least one hit, led by Paige Silverthorn who went 4-for-6 with three runs scored in the two contests. 

Delta State will travel to Monticello, Ark., Tuesday, April 14 for a double-header scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.