WEEKLY RELEASE: Games 37-40 DSU vs. UAM/MVSU (4.6-11.09)
CLEVELAND - After taking 2-of-3 from the Reddies (26-12, 4-8 GSCW) of Henderson State University this past weekend, and dropping a hard-fought 4-5 ten inning loss at Mississippi Valley State (14-14), the No. 20 ranked Statesmen (24-13, 10-2 GSCW) will host the Boll Weevils (7-27-1, 1-8 GSCW) of the University of Arkansas-Monticello on Friday and Saturday at Dave “Boo” Ferriss Field. The series is set for three games starting with a single game on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and a doubleheader at 2 p.m. on Saturday. DSU will honor its seniors prior to the start of the game at 1:40 p.m.
UAM BOLL WEEVILS SERIES INFORMATION
All-time standings: Delta State leads 63-5 (since 1953)
In GSC play: DSU leads 29-1 (since 1997)
UAM vs. Kinnison: DSU leads 29-1 (since 1997)
Last Meeting: DSU W, 17-7 - April 13, 2008 • Boll Weevil Field • Monticello, Ark.
INSIDE THE WEEVILS vs. STATESMEN SERIES
The Statesmen and Boll Weevils will be meeting for the 69th time in series history on Friday at Ferriss Field. Delta State has dominated the series over the years, leading 63-5. The Statesmen are 29-1 against UAM since the Weevils joined the GSC conference. All but one of UAM's victories occurred priori to 1997.
STATESMAN TO WATCH - KELLEN BOZEMAN, DH
Junior transfer Kellen Bozeman (DH • Baton Rouge) has not slowed down since joining the Statesmen lineup in January. The LSU-Eunice transfer leads the team with 45 RBIs and .372 average, while ranking second with nine home runs and 12 doubles. In the last 10 games, Bozeman is batting .436 with four doubles, three HR, and 17 RBIs.
STATESMEN SPORTS NETWORK
The Statesmen Sports Network will offer complete coverage of all three games this weekend from Ferriss 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 Dan Hawthorne will have the call. This weekend's series may be heard on WMJW 107.5 FM in Cleveland, and SuperSport 930 AM in Jackson.
DSU HONORING SENIORS
Prior to the start of Saturday's DH, DSU will honor its 10 seniors at 1:40 p.m. This year's recognition will include a recap of the senior's accomplishments and honors. This year's senior class includes: Devin Goodwin (SS), Clay Sartain (2B), Marcus Wilson (P), Cesar Rodriguez (P), Matthew Little (OF), Steven Oswald (1B), Joey Haston (P), Levi Bishop (P), Anthony Palasini (C), and Korey Cunningham (P).
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 wih 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 Henderson State, the Horn Lake native has 65 doubles.
STATESMEN AND MULERIDERS IN TIGHT GSC WEST RACE
It seems like it come down to the Statesmen and Muleriders every year for the West Division title in the GSC, and 2009 looks no different. Entering play this weekend, the No. 4 ranked Muleriders (11-1 GSCW) hold a slim one game lead on the No. 20 ranked Statesmen (10-2 GSCW) in the division standings. DSU will travel to SAU on April 25-26 for the final regular season GSC series of 2009.
CUNNINGHAM DELIVERING THE GOODS
Korey Cunningham knows what it means to be a successful pitcher. In 2008, the Clinton native went 10-2 en route to first team All-GSC and All-Region accolades. After a slow start to 2009, Cunningham has started picking up the pace, and in his last two outings has delivered the goods for the Statesmen, going 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA. In the two outings, Cunningham has thrown 14.0 innings, allowing one run on nine hits with 11 strikeouts. He threw 7.0 shutout innings in a 17-0 win over Harding (3.28), and 7.0 innings of one run ball in a 5-1 win at HSU. Entering this week, Cunningham is 5-2 with a 3.58 ERA.
SARTAIN AND GOODWIN CLIMBING DSU RECORD BOOK
Senior middle infielders Clay Sartain and Devin Goodwin has produced two of greatest careers in Statesmen baseball history. Both players will close their senior seasons ranking in the top 10 in almost every major statistical category. A career breakdown is below.
STATISTIC SARTAIN GOODWIN
Hits (302) 267/3rd 241/8th
Runs Batted In (253) 186/4th 171/7th
Home Runs (69) NR 35/5th
Doubles (67) 67/1st 51/9th
Total Bases (537) 396/7th 409/4th
Runs Scored (233) 203/6th 185/9th
Games Played (224) 207/5th 193/12th
School record in parenthesis
PALASINI TURNS IN KEY PERFORMANCE AT HSU
Senior catcher Anthony Palasini turned in the game-changing performance last weekend in DSU's 16-7 win over HSU with a two-run HR to right-center that clinched the series 2-1. In his last 10 games, Palasini is batting .344 with two HR and eight RBIs. For the season, the Leland native is batting .301 (31-of-103) with eight 2B, one 3B, two HR, and 20 RBIs. Defensively, he has committed just three errors behind the plate.
HOGGARD COMES BACK WITH A BANG
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. In the four games since returning to the lineup, the Oxford native is batting .308 with two HR, four runs scored and three RBIs. Tuesday at MVSU, Hoggard crushed a Delta Devils' pitch 410-feet past the left field wall to tie for team lead in HR with 10. The 6-foot-3 right fielder is batting .295 this year with 10 HR and 38 RBIs since transferring from Mississippi State in the fall.
STATESMEN LEADING LEAGUE IN SCORING
While some of the offensive numbers Statesmen baseball fans have become accustomed to over the years aren't quite as high as usual, run production has not fallen off. Through the first 37 games of the year, the Statesmen lead the Gulf South Conference in scoring at 9.6 runs per game, ranking eighth in the nation.
BISHOP CHASING CAREER SAVES MARK
After turning in one of the greatest seasons a closer has ever had here at Delta State with nine saves in 2008, senior lefty Levi Bishop needs just two saves to break the all-time record of 13 held by J.D. Robinson (1996-97). Entering this weekend's action, Bishop, a 5-foot-8 Saltillo native, is 1-1 with a 4.40 ERA and three saves. During DSU's recent winning streak, Bishop has had few opportunities for saves out of the pen.
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).
ATOP THE LINEUP, GOODWIN ON FIRE
Since moving to the leadoff spot in the Statesmen lineup, senior shortstop Devin Goodwin has been nearly unstoppable at the plate. In his 24 games at the leadoff spot, the Russellville, Ala., native is batting .419 with nine doubles, two triples, eight HR, and 32 RBIs. The two-time All-GSC selection is an early candidate for GSC West Division Player of the Year. Through 37 games, Goodwin is batting .372 with 12 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, and 37 RBIs. He leads the GSC in runs scored with 52 and is currently third in the league with 10 HR.
NIEMANN HEATING UP
Sophomore centerfielder Michael Niemann is starting to heat up at the right time for the Statesmen. In his last 10 games, Niemann, a 5-foot-10 Yelm, Wash., native is batting a team-high .444 (16-of-36) with 13 runs scored, two 2B, one 3B, one HR, and four RBIs. After a breajout freshman season, Niemann has continued to improve as a hitter and defender for the Statesmen. The Yelm, Wash., native made the move from right to center in the off season, and the speedster hasn't skipped a beat. Through 37 games, Niemann is batting a team-high .372 with 51 hits in 137 plate appearances. He ranks fourth on the team with nine doubles, and 36 runs scored. Playing a much more demanding position, Niemann has yet to commit an error in center, despite 57 chances. He has also delivered two outfield assists. In the firendly confines of Ferriss Field, Niemann is also DSU's leading hitter, batting .403 (27-of-67).
