Games 47-49: Delta State at Southern Arkansas Game Notes (PDF)

CLEVELAND - The No. 20/No. 5 ranked Statesmen (33-13, 16-2 GSCW) of Delta State University will take their nine game winning streak on the road this weekend to Mulerider Field to take on top-ranked Southern Arkansas University (43-7, 17-1 GSCW) in Magnolia, Ark. The GSC West Division title and tournament's top seed will be on the line during the three-game series. DSU is currently one-game back of SAU with three-GSC contests left on the schedule.

The Statesmen completed a three-game sweep of Arkansas Tech last weekend, while taking a 7-3 win at Belhaven on Tuesday in Jackson.

This weekend's series is set for three games starting with a doubleheader at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and single game at 2 p.m. Sunday. The GSC West Division title will be on the line

SAU MULERIDERS SERIES INFORMATION
Delta State leads: 50-20 (since 1981)
In GSC play: 27-13 (since 1996)
Under Kinnison: 25-12 (since 1997)
Last Meeting: W, 10-1 - April 27, 2008 • Ferriss Field

STATESMAN TO WATCH - JOSH GORDON, 3B
For a second week in a row, junior third baseman Josh Gordon (Vicksburg) is this week's Statesman to watch. The slick-fielding corner infielder has heated up at the plate recently, hitting .563 with four HR and 11 RBIs last week. For the season, the Hinds CC transfer is batting .381 with six doubles, four HR and 34 RBIs. He has also committed just three errors this year.

STATESMEN SPORTS NETWORK
The Statesmen Sports Network will offer complete coverage of all three games this weekend from Mulerider Field online at www.GoStatesmen.com and on the network beginning 15 minutes prior to first pitch with the SouthGroup Insurance Dugout Report. Matt Jones and Jim Ervin will have the call. This weekend's series may be heard on WMJW 107.5 FM and SuperSport 930 AM in Jackson. 

SARTAIN TOPS GSC DOUBLES RECORD
Senior second baseman Clay Sartain added yet another doubles record to his resume last week versus William Carey, eclipsing the Gulf South Conference career doubles record with a shot to right-center in DSU's 16-6 win. The double was the 65th of his career, topping the previous record of 64 held by Stephen Jackson of West Florida (1995-98). The powerful second baseman climbed to the top of the DSU career doubles list with his shot to left-center on March 22, 2009 versus Christian Brothers in an 18-4 DSU win. It was his 61st career double, topping the mark held by former Statesman Jud Thigpen, who hit 60 from 2002-2004. Heading into this weekend's contest at Arkansas Tech, the Horn Lake native has 68 doubles.

GORDON PRODUCING AT RECORD PACE
Junior Josh Gordon (6-2 • Vicksburg) has not looked back since taking over as the every day third baseman 23 games ago. The Vicksburg native has improved each week, and in the last 13 games has been on fire at the plate, hitting .439 (18-of-41). During that time span, Gordon has connected on four home runs, driven in 19, and scored 14 runs. He has also achored the hot-corner, committing just two errors. For the season, Gordon is batting .381 (32-of-84) with six doubles, two triples, four HR, and 34 RBIs.

HOGGARD POWERING UP STATESMEN
After missing a week of action with a strained back, Cade Hoggard returned to the lineup at Henderson State and made an immediate impact for the Statesmen. He hasn't slowed down since. In the last 13 games, Hoggard is batting .432 (19-of-44)with four HR, and 14 RBIs. The 6-foot-3 right fielder is batting .338 this year with a team-high 12 HR and 49 RBIs since transferring from Mississippi State in the fall.

GRIFFIN SLIDES INTO STARTING ROLE
Junior righthander Trey Griffin (6-1 • RHP • Houston) has gone from reliever to weekend starter for the Statesmen over the course of the last four weeks. The NE Mississippi CC transfer has started the third game of the last three Gulf South series for the green-&-white. In those outings, Griffin has allowed seven runs, six earned, on just 14 hits in 19.1 innings pitched. Against HSU, his first career GSC start, Griffin worked 4.1 innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Versus UAM, the righty worked 7.0 solid innings, giving up just one run on six hits with four walks and three k's. Last weekend at ATU, Griffin pitched 8.0 solid innings, allowing five runs on eight hits with five strikeouts. In eight appearances, Griffin is 6-0 with a 3.74 ERA in 33.2 innings pitched.

NIEMANN RIDING SEVEN GAME HITTING STREAK
Sophomore centerfielder Michael Niemann (5-10 • Yelm, Wash.) is riding a seven game hitting streak heading into this weekend's series at SAU. He is currently tied for the team lead with 63 hits, while ranking second with a .358 average. 

Division II Titans Clash in Magnolia
As the 2009 baseball regular season comes to the end, how appropriate is it that once again the No. 1 ranked Southern Arkansas University Muleriders and No. 20 ranked Statesmen's battle for the GSC West Division crown. The Statesmen are attempting to win their 15th division title in 16 seasons. Since joining the GSC in 1996 the Muleriders(17-1, GSCW) have finished second to the Statesmen(16-2, GSCW) nine times. Just as the case was during the final conference weekend in 2008, DSU must win two of the three contests over the weekend to finish first in the West. Only this time, the Muleriders get to play in their back yard.

BOZEMAN LEADING WAY FOR STATESMEN OFFENSE
Junior designated hitter Kellen Bozeman's bat has been a major catalyst for the Statesmen this year. The LSU-Eunice transfer and Baton Rouge, La., native leads the Statesmen with .360 batting average, 11 home runs (tied) and 52 RBIs. He also ranks second with 15 doubles. His 53 runs scored are third.

GOODWIN PACING THE STATESMEN ATOP THE LINEUP
Since moving to the leadoff spot in the Statesmen lineup, senior shortstop Devin Goodwin has been nearly unstoppable at the plate. In his 33 games at the leadoff spot, the Russellville, Ala., native is batting .368 with 12 doubles, two triples, nine HR, and 38 RBIs. The two-time All-GSC selection is an early candidate for GSC West Division Player of the Year. Through 42 games, Goodwin is batting .349 with 15 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, and 43 RBIs. He ranks second in the GSC in runs scored with 62.

MVSU SERIES RESCHEDULED
Despite the final two weeks of action primarily being played on the road, the Statesmen will conclude the home portion of their schedule with an April 28 date against Mississippi Valley State University at Ferriss Field. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

STATESMEN IN PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL
As the official start of the Major League Baseball season draws near, DSU boasts several former Statesmen in the professional ranks. DSU currently has Edwin Maysonet (2001-2002) of the Houston Astros, and Brent Leach (2005) of the L.A. Dodgers on 40-man rosters. Maysonet has been assigned to AAA Round Rock with the Astros, after batting .313 with two HR and eight RBIs this spring. In all, eight former Statesmen are building a career in the professional game this spring and summer, including: Eli Whiteside (C, Oakland A's-AAA), Edwin Maysonet (INF, Houston Astros), Jud Thigpen (OF, Ind.), Brent Leach (P, L.A. Dodgers-AAA), Brett Durand (P, Florida Marlins-A), Jareck West (OF, Oakland A's-A), Taylor Fleming (RP, San Angelo Colts-Ind.), and Kenney Smalley (P, Oakland A's-A). 

BISHOP SETS NEW SAVES RECORD AT DELTA STATE
Senior lefthander Levi Bishop (5-8 • 2L • Saltillo) set a new Delta State career record for saves last Saturday with his 14th in DSU's 7-6 win over Arkansas Tech at Wonder Boys Field. The crafty lefthander totaled nine saves in 2008, while posting five so far this season. In 41 career appearances, Bishop is 6-2 with a 3.32 ERA and 14 saves. In 2009, the Itawamba CC transfer is 2-1 with a 3.05 ERA and five saves.

STATESMEN WITH SERIOUS ALL-CONFERENCE CONTENDERS
A mixture of veterans and newcomers make up the list of All-GSC nominees for the Statesmen this season. Old mainstays like senior second baseman Clay Sartain and senior shortstop Devin Goodwin are no surprise with both gunning for their third straight selection to the much deserved list. Standout senior pitchers Korey Cunningham and Levi Bishop both look for their second straight appearance. Junior designated hitter Kellen Bozeman, sophomore centerfielder Michael Niemann and junior rightfielder Cade Hoggard are set to join the list behind solid seasons in 2009. Perhaps the biggest surprise to some, but certainly not the Statesmen coaching staff, is the performance of junior pitcher Trey Griffin.