MILLINGTON, Tenn. – It simply wasn't Delta State's day, as the top-ranked Muleriders (48-9) of Southern Arkansas eliminated the No. 9 ranked Statesmen (38-16), 9-0, in an elimination game Thursday at the Gulf South Conference Tournament at USA Stadium.

The loss ends DSU's run at the GSC Tournament, but there remains an outside shot that the Statesmen will receive a bid to next week's NCAA South Region Tournament. SAU advances to face Valdosta State for the GSC title Friday morning at 9:30 a.m.

The Muleriders took advantage of every Statesmen mistake early in the game to jump out to a 4-0 lead heading into the fourth. In the fifth, the Muleriders plated three runs to take a commanding 7-0 lead.

In the sixth, SAU added an insurance run on Andrew Whittington's RBI-single to left, scoring Gavan McCauley from third.

Cannon Lester put an exclamation point on the night in the ninth, as the junior slammed a solo home run over the left field wall for the 9-0 lead.

DSU threatened three times in the game, only to have the Muleriders quell every threat.

Mulerider starter Matt Speake (8-0) worked a complete game shutout for the win. The junior right-hander allowed just four hits on the night with two strikeouts.

Statesmen starter Joey Haston (6-3) took the loss. Haston worked just 1.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Five relievers worked out of the bullpen, including: Cesar Rodriquez, Nathan Hardy, Toby Easterly, Marcus Wilson, and Levi Bishop.

The Statesmen amassed just four hits, led by Billy Ray Todd's double.

McCauley led the Muleriders at the plate, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.

With the GSC Tournament and the regular season in the books, the Statesmen will have to wait until Sunday to learn their NCAA South Region Tournament fate. Delta State was ranked 10th headed into the GSC Tournament, going 2-2 with victories over Alabama-Huntsville and West Alabama. The top eight teams in the region will advance to NCAA postseason play.