MONTEVALLO, Ala. – Three costly errors by the University of Montevallo Falcons (22-23-1) in the top of the ninth inning allowed the No. 17 ranked Delta State University Statesmen (28-13) to plate two runs for a 5-4 win Tuesday night at Kermit A. Johnson Field. The win extended the win streak to four games for the green-and-white, while the loss drops UM below .500 for the second time this season.

After the Statesmen jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first two innings, the Falcons came back in the bottom of the third to tie it up at 2-2 on Kevin Garcia's two-RBI single to right-center.

Both teams failed to find any offense in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

In the top of the seventh, DSU took advantage of a Falcon error to take a 3-2 lead, as Steven Oswald scored on Michael Niemann's RBI ground out.

Garcia played the major role again for the Falcons in the bottom of the seventh with a two-RBI double to right-center, giving Montevallo the 4-3 lead.

The Statesmen had a chance in the top of the eighth, as Josh Gordon reached on an error and Oswald singled to center. Goodwin lined out to Garcia to end the inning and preserve the 4-3 UM lead.

In the top of the ninth, two errors at short and one in right allowed Chase Blanchard and Cade Hoggard to come in for the 5-4 DSU lead.

Bishop (2-1) made it stand up in the bottom of the ninth for the win. Bishop pitched 2.1 innings allowing no runs on one hits. Justin Aaron (2-2) was saddled with the loss.

Sartain and Oswald led DSU at the plate with two hits each.

The Statesmen and Falcons will continue the series Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Kermit Johnson Field. The series will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting 15 minutes prior to first pitch. Matt Jones and Dan Hawthorne will have the call.