Box Score MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Delta State University Statesmen (9-8) claimed a 16-1 victory over the University of Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils (9-6) in game one of the Southern Arkansas University Mulerider Classic Saturday at Mulerider Field. Both teams will play two more games at the weekend non-conference crossover featuring DSU, UAM, SAU and Ouachita Baptist.

The Statesmen jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Michael Niemann doubled off the right field wall and came around to score on Kellen Bozeman's RBI single to center. Cameron Robulak (3) followed with a two-run home run to right. Michael Vinson singled through the left side and the Statesmen closed scoring on a bases-loaded RBI ground out by Jon Carnahan.

After holding the potent UAM offense scoreless in the second, the Statesmen put the game away with six runs on five hits. DSU's Robulak collected his third RBI of the game on a ground out with the sacks full. Brent Kakwitch delivered a two-run home run to left center; his first of the season. Niemann drove in a run with an RBI single to center and DSU tacked on two additional unearned runs.

Leading 10-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth, Delta State struck for three runs on four hits, including a two-run home run by Niemann (1). Freshman shortstop Justin Badon also got into the action, slapping an RBI double off the right field wall.

UAM got on the board in the fifth, as Tino Trujilio scored on Fernando Garcia's RBI double to left center, cutting the DSU lead to 13-1.

DSU would tack on a run in the bottom of the fifth, as Robulak came in to score on a ground out by Carnahan.

The Statesmen would close their scoring in the sixth with a pair of runs thanks to Patrick Strack's two-run home run to center.

Delta State finished with 16 runs on 16 hits with an error, while Arkansas-Monticello scored one run on three hits with a pair of errors.

Brandon Hardin (2-2) earned the win for the Statesmen, tossing six innings of one run baseball. The junior allowed three hits while walking three and striking out six. Rickey Winters pitched a scoreless seventh for the Statesmen bullpen.

Eddie Smith (3-1) took the loss for UAM by allowing 13 runs, 11 earned, on 13 hits in 3 2/3 innings of work. He also walked two with three strikeouts. Brad Weisgerber pitched the final 2.1 for UAM, surrendering three runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Niemann and Kakwitch both finished the day with three hits to lead the Statesmen. Niemann also scored two runs and delivered three RBIs. Robulak was 1 for 3 with three RBIs and Badon closed out the game going 2 for 3 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI.

Garcia collected two of UAM's three hits in the game. John Tatum had the other.