Baseball Matt Jones

Statesmen rally for 13-7 win over Wonder Boys

Sartain records two HRs and eight RBIs in win for Delta State.

Clay Sartain smashed two HRs and had eight RBIs Saturday.
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Stephen Oswald's double down the left field line plated Cade Hoggard in the top of the ninth, capping a 13-7 come-from-behind victory for the No. 17 ranked Statesmen (30-13, 14-2 GSCW) of Delta State University over the Wonder Boys (19-27, 7-9 GSCW) of Arkansas Tech University Saturday in the first game of the three-game Gulf South Conference series at Wonder Boys Field. The Statesmen scored 10 unanswered runs in the final two innings to extend their win streak to six games, and keeping DSU within one game of first place in the GSC West.

The Statesmen jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first, as Clay Sartain (5) smashed a hanging slider, with Michael Niemann on first, over the left field wall.

The Wonder Boys battled back in the bottom of the third by stringing five-straight singles together, including a two-RBI single by Tony Sanchez. Clint Stround added an RBI-double to give ATU the 3-2 lead.

After a leadoff walk to Patrick Strack, DSU's Sartain knocked in his third RBI with a base hit through the left side, tying the game at 3-3 in the top of the fifth.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Wonder Boys broke the game open, taking a 7-3 lead with four runs on three hits. ATU got a much needed RBI-single by Chad Wynn, but the Wonder Boys added two runs on a throwing error by Statesmen shortstop Devin Goodwin attempting to turn a double play.

Heading into the top of the eighth trailing 7-3, the Statesmen exploded for four runs on two hits to tie the game at 7-7, including a two-RBI double by Michael Niemann, and an RBI-single by Clay Sartain.

Tied at 7-7 in the top of the ninth, the Statesmen got a leadoff single by Hoggard to start the inning. After a sacrifice bunt moved Hoggard to second, Oswald stepped to the plate and roped the first pitch he saw from ATU reliever Barrett Davis down the left field line to score the game-winning hit.

The Statesmen weren't done, as Josh Gordon traded places with Oswald with an RBI-double down the right field line for a two run, 9-7 DSU lead. ATU would make a pitching change, brining in reliever Jordan Gomez, but the Statesmen offense could not be stopped. Devin Goodwin walked and Niemann singled to load to the bases bringing Sartain to the plate. The senior from Horn Lake made the most of it, smashing a grand slam (6) on a 3-2 pitch over the left field wall for the 13-7 lead. It was his second home run of the night.

Cody Kelley (4-2), who worked 3.0 scoreless innings of relief, worked the ninth for the win. ATU's Davis (2-3) took the loss after surrendering five earned runs on five hits in just an inning and a third of relief.

Sartain finished the night 4-for-5 with two home runs and eight RBIs. Niemann went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, while Kellen Bozeman, Hoggard, and Gordon all recorded multiple-hit games for the Statesmen.

Korey Cunningham started the game for the Statesmen, working 5.1 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits with a walk and six strikeouts. Toby Easterly worked 0.2 innings, allowing one run on one hit.

The Statesmen and Wonder Boys will conclude the series Sunday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. The games will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting 15 minutes prior to first pitch. Matt Jones and Dan Hawthorne will have the call.

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