CLEVELAND -- With the threat of thunderstorms looming throughout the Mississippi Delta on Saturday, The Delta State University Statesmen were in the drivers seat for 14 innings against Southern Arkansas. The Statesmen smashed their way to a 16-6 win in seven innings in the opening game before losing control in extra innings in the nightcap.

Southern Arkansas scored four runs as a result of only one hit in the eighth inning and claimed the second game by a score of 9-6.

Chris Harrison hit a three-run home run in the top of the first inning of the game one to give the No. 1 Muleriders (39-5, 18-1) a 3-0 lead. The No.20 Statesmen (33-14, 12-7) answered big, as they touched up SAU starter Hayden Simpson to the tune of four runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 4-3 lead. 

Catcher Patrick Taylor blasted a two-run home run to right center that put the Statesmen on the board. The home run was only the second allowed all season by the SAU starting pitcher.

Chris Escobar, Chase Blanchard and Matt Discon hit three straight doubles to plate the other two runs in the bottom of the second.

Southern Arkansas briefly took a 5-4 lead in the top of the fifth, but the Statesmen answered with a five spot in the bottom half of the inning to take a 9-5 lead.

If the five run fifth was not enough, the Statesmen plated six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 15-6 lead. The inning was highlighted by a two run home run for Josh Gordon.

Freshman Michael Vinson produced the game-winning RBI in the bottom of the seventh with a solo blast over the left field wall to finish the scoring at 16-6.

Trey Griffin (6-3) earned the win for the Statesmen. The senior worked all seven innings. Griffin allowed six runs on 10 hits with six strikeouts and three walks.

Simpson (11-1) took the loss. He was lifted after going 4.2 innings. The right-hander allowed eight runs on nine hits, with six strikeouts and three walks.

Matt Discon was the star of the show at the plate. The junior finished 3-for-4 with five RBI's. Not to be outdone, Gordon finished 3-for-4 with three RBI's. Gordon finished a double shy of the cycle.

Vinson, and Blanchard all finished with three hits apiece. Harrison led the way at the plate for the Muleriders, as he finished 2-for-3 with 3 RBI's.

The opening frames of game two were nearly the same. Southern Arkansas scored two runs in the top of the first inning, but the Statesmen answered back once again.

With two outs in the bottom of the first, Cade Hoggard blasted a two RBI double that tied the score at 2-2. Will McGinnis then slapped a double down the right field line to score Hoggard, giving the Statesmen the lead at 3-2.

With the score tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth, McGinnis knocked in his fourth run in the two game set with a sac fly to left field that scored Gordon from third.

Southern Arkansas responded with a clutch hit in the top of the sixth by Nick Paschal that scored Gavan McCauley from second base to tie the game at 5-5.

Senior Jason Coats was relived by Toby Easterly with two on and two outs in the sixth. The senior was produced an outstanding effort, as he allowed five runs, three earned, with seven scattered hits. Coats struck out two SAU hitters, and walked five.

Easterly allowed two straight baserunners to lead off the top of the seventh inning, but Patrick Taylor picked off Harrison at second and gunned down Patrick Johnson who was attempting to steal second. Jason Dahl then popped out to center to end what looked to be a promising inning for the Muleriders.

The two teams went to extra innings when SAU relief pitcher Chad Yinger retired the Statesmen in order in the bottom of the seventh. Southern Arkansas loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the eighth with a hit by pitch, a fielders choice and a throwing error charged to Easterly on a bunt.

Easterly would then walk Nick Paschal with the bases loaded to give the Muleriders a 6-5 lead. Cannon Lester broke things open with a two RBI single to left field off Brent Hallmark, giving SAU the 8-5 lead.

The Statesmen didn't go quietly in the bottom of the eighth. Discon singled to centerfield which scored Escobar from second base.

Easterly (1-3) took the loss in relief. Easterly allowed four runs, none earned in 1.1 innings of work. Brent Hallmark pitched the final inning for the Statesmen.

Yinger (3-0) was excellent in relief for SAU. He picked up the win, as he allowed one run on one hit in three innings of work. Yinger struck out four with no walks.

Cole Lohden pitched five innings for the Muleriders and allowed five runs on eight hits in the no decision.

The same two teams will meet at Ferriss field on Sunday at 2 p.m to complete the series. The team's 11 seniors will be recognized for their contributions to the Statesmen baseball program.