CLEVELAND – The No. 13 Statesmen (8-2-1) of Delta State University claimed a sweep of the Chargers (3-5) of the University of Alabama-Huntsville 10-8 and 4-3 on Wednesday at Ferriss Field.

In game one, the Statesmen erased a 7-0 deficit in game one, outscoring the Chargers of the University of Alabama-Huntsville 10-1 over the final four innings to claim a 10-8 victory in game one of a doubleheader Wednesday, Feb. 24 at Ferriss Field.

After surrendering a 7-0 lead to UAH off DSU starter Brandon Hall in the first three innings, the Statesmen began their comeback in the third with three runs aided by RBI singles from Josh Gordon and Michael Vinson.

DSU made it 7-7 in the bottom of the fourth, plating four runs on three hits. Gordon and Vinson each drove in their second runs of the game.

The Chargers took the lead 8-7 in the fifth, as Corey Trapp scored on a throwing error by Patrick Taylor.

After a scoreless fifth for the green-and-white, the Statesmen mounted the final comeback in the sixth with three runs off four hits. After a leadoff single by Gordon, Cade Hoggard crushed one off the top of the wall in left center to tie it at 8-8. Vinson followed with an RBI-single to right to give the Statesmen the lead at 9-8. Brancy Cummins replaced Vinson as a pinch-runner, eventually scoring an insurance run on a wild pitch.

Leading 10-8, Statesmen closer Brent Hallmark (2) slammed the door on the Chargers in the seventh, striking out the side for the save.

Nathan Hardy (1-0) won the game in relief, pitching 2.0 innings while allowing one earned run on one hit with a walk and two strikeouts.

UAH reliever Corbin Holland (0-1) was saddled with the loss after tossing 1.0 inning, allowing two runs on two hits with a walk.

Gordon and Vinson each recorded three hits for the Statesmen. Vinson finished with a career-high three RBIs in the win.

In game two after jumping out to a 2-0 lead, the Statesmen surrendered the lead 3-2 to UAH heading into the bottom of the fifth off DSU starter Jordan Moore. 

The Statesmen would tie it in the bottom of the inning as Cade Hoggard scored from third. 

In the sixth tied at 3-3, Vinson delivered once again, roping a laser to left driving in Niemann from third for the game-winning hit.

Toby Easterly (1-0) earned the win in relief.  Coty Saranthus (1) closed the door in the seventh for the save. 

Jermaine Barksdale (0-1) took the loss. 

The Statesmen are back in action this weekend at West Alabama.  The three-game series starts Saturday at 2 p.m. with a doubleheader in Livingston, Ala.