CLEVELAND - Josh Gordon's third-inning grand slam put Delta State ahead for good as the Statesmen slugged their way to an 18-11 win over Belhaven in non-conference action Tuesday.

Gordon led the Statesmen with five RBIs in the game. The bottom of the Delta State lineup was also productive, as Nos. 8 and 9 hitters Chase Blanchard and Chris Blanchard batted in three runs apiece and scored an additional three runs each.

The No. 18 Statesmen improved to 21-10-1 with the victory. Belhaven, ranked No. 21 in the NAIA, fell to 26-10 with the loss.

The Statesmen fell behind in the top of the third after Belhaven plated three runs to take a 4-1 lead. They would not remain down for long, however, as Gordon came through with his grand slam. It was Gordon's fourth home run of the season, but his first at Ferriss Field this year.

Jeffrey Vance improved to 2-1 on the season after pitching 2 1/3 innings of shutout relief work.

The Statesmen scored 11 unanswered runs and led 12-4 at the end of five innings, but a six-run Belhaven sixth cut the score to 12-10. Delta State responded with a six-spot of their own in the bottom half of the inning.

Timmy Foster hit two home runs for Belhaven, including a grand slam during their six-run sixth.

The Statesmen return to action Friday when they host Henderson State for the first two games of a weekend series. First pitch for Friday's doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m.