SEARCY, Ark. - The No. 21 ranked Statesmen (19-10-1, 4-3 GSC) of Delta State University salvaged a split in Saturday's Gulf South Conference doubleheader at Harding University (15-16, 3-4 GSC) falling in game one to the Bisons 8-7 in 10 innings and claiming a 9-4 win in the finale.

In game one, the Bisons used Jason Nappi's two-run home run to right-center to take a 2-0 lead in the fourth.

The Statesmen came back in the top of the fifth to score four runs off Bisons starter Troy Keith to take a 4-2 lead.  Michael Niemann delivered an RBI double and Josh Gordon connected on an RBI single to left to plate the final two runs in the inning. 

Heath Boyd's first career home run, a two-run shot down the right field line, tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth. 

DSU went up 7-4 in the top of the seventh on Billy Ray Todd's and Gordon's RBI singles, but the Statesmen pitching staff couldn't make it hold up. 

Harding chased DSU starter Cody Kelley in the eighth after plating three runs and tying the game at 7-7 on three hits, including Anthony Gugliemi's two-RBI double to right. 

Both teams went scoreless in the ninth and Harding took control in the 10th.  DSU reliever Brent Hallmark (1-1) gave up a leadoff single to Clay West followed by an intentional walk to Nappi and a walk to Gugliemi.  Coach Kinnison pulled Hallmark for Toby Easterly, who gave up a single to center by Erin McCarver for the 8-7 Bisons win.

Hallmark took the loss in relief, tossing 2.0 innings, allowing one run on two hits. 

Patrick Nappi (2-2) picked up the win for Harding in relief.  The Birmingham, Ala., pitched 3.2 innings in relief of starter Troy Keith, who worked 6.1 innings. 

In game two, the Statesmen fell behind 2-0 in the second inning in part due to errors in the middle infield. 

Delta State exploded for five runs in the third, three coming off senior first baseman Cade Hoggard's three-run home run to right field. 

The Statesmen tacked on three runs in the fourth and one in the seventh, while the Bisons scored a run in the fourth and sixth innings to make the final 9-4.

Jason Coats (5-0) worked 5.2 innings, allowing four runs on five hits with a walk and four strikeouts to earn the win.  Jeffrey Vance worked the final 1.1 innings in relief. 

Kyle Cline (2-4) was saddled with the loss after throwing 3.1 innings and surrendering eight runs on seven hits.

Hoggard went 1-for-3 with three RBIs to pace the Statesmen.  Josh Gordon went 2-for-5 with two RBI as well. 

Game three of the series is set for 1 p.m. at Jerry Moore Field on Sunday.  Airtime is set for 12:45 p.m. on the Statesmen Sports Network.