JACKSON – Trailing 4-0 to the Belhaven Blazers, the Delta State Statesmen scored five unanswered runs to claim a 5-4 win Tuesday at Smith-Wills Stadium. The Statesmen improved to 32-13-1, while Belhaven dropped to 34-12. DSU sweeps the season series 2-0.

The Blazers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after two innings, thanks in part to RBI-singles by Jimmy Gilford, Timmy Foster, Paul Moreno and Derek Tortorich.

Delta State finally scratched the scoreboard in the fourth, as Josh Gordon (8) connected on a 400-foot home run to left center to cut Belhaven's lead to 4-1. The green-and-white kept the pressure on the Blazers, as Will McGinnis' triple to right scored Cade Hoggard and Patrick Taylor scored McGinnis from third on an RBI-groundout, cutting the lead to 4-3.

The Statesmen took a 5-4 lead in the top of the sixth. After a leadoff walk to Michael Vinson, Hoggard crushed a fastball off the left field wall for an RBI. McGinnis grounded out to second, moving Hoggard to third. Taylor followed with his second RBI groundout to second, scoring Hoggard from third to give the Statesmen the lead.

After keeping the Blazers at bay for six innings, Belhaven made a run in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs, Lake Eiland singled to left and Timmy Foster drew a walk. Coach Mike Kinnison brought in Toby Easterly, who coaxed a fly-out by Brandon Benton to seal the win.

Coach Kinnison used Jordon Moore (3-0) in relief to settle the Blazer bats. Moore worked 3.1 shutout innings, allowing one hit with three walks and two strikeouts.

Coty Saranthus came on in relief of Moore in the seventh with one out and quickly got out of a jam. The junior from Jackson worked 2.1 innings with a walk and two strikeouts.

Josh Branstetter started the game for DSU, but did not factor in the decision. The freshman threw 3.0 innings and allowed four runs on eight hits.

Belhaven's Golden Grasse (1-3) took the loss in relief.

Gordon led the Statesmen at the plate with a 2-for-4 performance, including a home run.  Taylor also finished with two RBIs. 

The Statesmen return to action this weekend, as Delta State hosts No. 1 ranked Southern Arkansas for a three-game Gulf South Conference series at Ferriss Field. Saturday's doubleheader will begin at 3 p.m. DSU will recognize the 50th anniversary of coach Dave “Boo” Ferriss' first season in Cleveland. All three games will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting 15 minutes prior to first pitch. Matt Jones and Jimmy Smith will have the call.