CLEVELAND – The Tigers (15-9, 2-1 GSC) of Ouachita Baptist University rode the arm of starter Beau Martin to a 4-0 shutout of the Statesmen (13-7-1, 1-2 GSC) of Delta State University Sunday at Ferriss Field. The win gives the Tigers the series 2-1.

The OBU Tigers scratched the scoreboard early on Sunday, plating two runs on two hits in the first. After a leadoff walk to Will Gowdy, OBU's Landon Flax singled to center. Cass Via bunted the runners over, allowing Luke Hardcastle to drive in the first two runs with a single to left.

Gowdy made it 3-0 OBU with a towering home run in the third off Statesmen starter Trey Griffin.

In the fourth, OBU plated another run to take a commanding 4-0 lead. Mark Cain doubled with one out in the inning and came around to score after a throwing error by the Statesmen defense.

The Statesmen struggled at the plate all day against OBU starter Beau Martin. DSU's lone hit off Martin through the first seven innings came in the first on a double by Josh Gordon.

DSU mounted a rally in the eighth inning after Chris Escobar singled to right off Martin. The Tigers hurler would get out of the jam, coaxing a double play off the bat of Patrick Strack to end the Statesmen threat.

The Statesmen would try again in the ninth to muster a comeback. With one out, Gordon singled to left for his second hit of the game, but the rally would come to an end, as Michael Vinson grounded into a double play to end the game.

OBU's Beau Martin (2-0) worked 8.0 shutout innings, allowing just two hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Nick Holtgrieve closed the door in the ninth on the Statesmen, allowing no runs on one hit.

Statesmen starter Trey Griffin (2-2) surrendered four runs, three earned, on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Jeffrey Vance gave up one hit and one walk in 1.1 innings of relief. Tim Maloney also worked 0.1 innings out of the bullpen.

Gordon led DSU with two hits on the day, while OBU's Gowdy went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.

The Statesmen return to action Tuesday, March 16, as Delta State hosts Abilene Christian University for a two-game midweek series at Ferriss Field. Tuesday's game is slated for a 6 p.m. first pitch, while Wednesday's game will get underway at 1 p.m.