CLEVELAND – The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys plated two runs in the top of the ninth which proved to be the difference in the contest as they completed a three-game sweep of No. 15 Delta State with a 4-2 win Sunday at Ferriss Field.
The Statesmen scored a run in the bottom of the ninth and loaded the bases with one out, but were unable to narrow the gap as Gino Spradley shut the door to earn his first save of the season for Arkansas Tech.
Matt Discon went 4-for-5 with a home run to lead the Statesmen (31-13-1), who fell to 11-6 in the Gulf South Conference's West Division, two games behind second-place Arkansas Tech.
DSU starting pitcher Cody Kelley (6-1) pitched into the ninth inning, but was unable to close the door on Arkansas Tech's late rally. He pitched 8 2/3 innings and struck eight batters while giving up four runs (including two unearned scores).
Starting pitcher Blaine Sims (5-3) picked up the victory for the Wonder Boys. Chad Wynn, who started the game in left field for Arkansas Tech, also pitched in the game.
Discon opened the scoring with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, his third round-tripper of the season. The DSU lead would not hold up, as Tech would score a run in both the sixth and eighth innings.
Tech stretched its lead in the top of the ninth when Wynn doubled home Tyler Taunton to make the score 3-1. Wynn was called out at third trying to stretch his double, and the bases were once again empty.
Kelley tried to earn the complete game, but another Tech rally, this time aided by two Delta State errors, added one more insurance run. Coty Saranthus struck out cleanup hitter Clint Stroud to finally end the inning.
The Statesmen committed a total of four errors in the game.
Discon came up next and knocked his fourth hit of the game, a single to reload the bases. The Statesmen were unable to capitalize, as Spratley induced Michael Niemann and Josh Gordon into consecutive flyouts to end the game.
The Statesmen return to action Tuesday when they travel to Jackson to face NAIA opponent Belhaven. The team returns to conference play this weekend when they host No. 1 Southern Arkansas for a three-game series at Ferriss Field.