CLEVELAND-Three pitchers gave up a total of three runs in two games, as the Delta State University softball team swept a doubleheader with Albany State University on Monday at University Field.

The Lady Statesmen (20-14) relied heavily on Brittany Gonzales in game one. The freshman pitcher led the way for DSU in a 3-2 win in eight innings.

Edie Oliver and Kate Moreland combined to hold Albany State (17-18) to one run in a 11-1 five inning win in game two.

Both teams scored unearned runs in the first inning in game one. DSU and Albany State both recorded base hits after costly errors to score the runs.

The Lady Statesmen took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Crista Richard scored from second on a throwing error by the ASU shortstop.

Albany State tied things up at two with a solo home run to center field by shortstop T'Sheyla Bynum.

The teams went to the international tie breaker in the eight inning. Albany State had a runner on third with two outs, but Gonzales forced a pop up for the third out of the inning.

It did not take long for DSU to deliver the winning run in the bottom of the eighth. Senior first baseman Courtney Clark delivered a game winning double with an 0-2 count that scored Brooke Allgood from second base.

Richard was the star at the plate for DSU in game one. The Crowley, La., native finished 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Gonzales (8-1) baffled ASU hitters for most of the game. The Denham Springs, La.,native allowed one earned run on six hits, and struck out a career high 10 hitters with no walks.

Ashia Merideth (3-7) took the loss for ASU.

Albany State capitalized on a DSU error to open up the scoring at 1-0 in the top of the second inning, but the Lady Statesmen had a seven run answer in the bottom of the third inning.

Richard had two singles in the inning, but the highlight came when freshman Taylor Hughes hit the second home run of her career, a two run shot, that came with two outs, making the score 7-1.

The Lady Statesmen scored four more runs in the fourth inning that was highlighted by the first career RBI by pinch hitter Kendall Sizemore. The Cleveland native singled in Clark to make the score.

Hughes also knocked in her third run of the game on a fielders choice RBI in the inning.

With the score at 11-1, Albany State needed at least three more runs to keep the game alive. Relief pitcher Kate Moreland held the Golden Rams scoreless to preserve the win.

Richard again led the Lady Statesmen with her second straight 3-for-4 performance at the plate. She also drove in a run. Kim Hensley was 1-for-2 with two RBI's.

Oliver (9-9) turned in another strong outing, as she earned her fourth straight win in the circle. Oliver allowed one run on three hits. She struck out five with two walks. Morleand pitched two innings of two hit relief. She also had two strikeouts.

Melissa Hurst (7-6) took the loss for ASU.

The Lady Statesmen will return to action on Tuesday, when they will travel to Memphis to make up the final two games of a Gulf South Conference doubleheader with Christian Brothers. The games will be broadcast on the Lady Statesmen Sports Network.