SEARCY, Ark. – Trey Griffin struck out 10 Harding batters and scattered three hits in a 6-1 complete-game victory for the No. 21 Statesmen (20-10-1, 5-3 GSC) of Delta State University over the Bisons (15-17, 3-5 GSC) on Sunday at Jerry Moore Field. The win claims the series for the Statesmen 2-1 over the Bisons and keeps the Statesmen in third place in the Gulf South West Division race.

Harding took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, as Will McDonald drove in Anthony Gugliemi, who singled to left earlier in the inning, on an RBI ground out to third.

Hayden Shirley, who entered the game 0-3 with a 9.41 ERA, kept the Statesmen offense at bay through the first five innings, but DSU finally got to the right-hander in the sixth, scoring four runs on one hit to take a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth.

After surrendering a two out double down the left field line to Clay West off Griffin, Billy Ray Todd saved a run and ended the inning with a diving catch down the right field line off Chase Presley's bat.

DSU made it 6-1 in the top of the eighth off HU reliever Tyler Billen, as Patrick Taylor singled to right scoring Michael Vinson, who doubled earlier in the inning from second, and Chris Escobar singled to left to score Taylor.

Harding's Hayden Shirley (0-4) took the loss after allowing four runs on 5.2 innings pitched.

Michael Vinson and Cade Hoggard led the Statesmen with two hits each. Taylor's two RBIs also paced the green-and-white.

The Statesmen return to action on Tuesday, March 30, as Delta State hosts Belhaven University. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at Ferriss Field. The game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 6:15 p.m. with the “SouthGroup Insurance Dugout Report.” Matt Jones and Jimmy Smith will have the call.