Box Score MAGNOLIA, Ark. - The Delta State University Statesmen (9-9) made a valiant comeback in the top of the ninth, scoring two runs, but came up just short, as the Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (10-5) claimed a 5-4 victory in game two of the Mulerider Classic.  

After jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first thanks to an error by SAU, the Muleriders scored five unanswered runs, three in the second and one each in the fifth and sixth, to take a 5-2 lead.

In the ninth, K. Bozeman struck out looking to start the inning. Cameron Robulack and Michael Vinson followdd with walks.  Ernie Triplett pinch ran for Robulack and both runners advanced a base on a pass ball. Patrick Taylor was hit by pitch to load the bases. 

SAU quickly brought in Doug Shields to pitch for Dan Bream and DSU subbed in Jordan Chovanec to run for Taylor. Will McGinnis flied out to center to bring home Triplett.  Patrick Strack pinch hit for Chris Escobar and singled through the right side, allowing Vinson to score.  With two out and two on, Justin Badon struck out swinging to end the late game heroics for the Statesmen. 

McGinnis led the Statesmen with a pair of hits, going 2 for 3 with an RBI as well.  Bozeman, Strack and Badon collected the other hits for the Statesmen. 

SAU designated hitter Chris Harrison led the Muleriders at the plate, reaching base in all five of his official at-bats, in going 3 for 3 and drawing two walks. Senior second baseman Adam Boucher had two hits and two RBI, and he and Harrison had the game's only extra-base hits, each getting a double.

Dan Bream (6-0) earned the win, pitching 8.1 innings while allowing four runs on four hits with four walks and eight strikeouts.  Shields (2) earne the save recording the final two outs of the game.

Aaron Newcomb (3-3) pitched 5.0 innings for the Statesmen and was saddled with the loss.  The junior allowed four runs, three earned, on seven hits with four walks and five strikeouts. 

The Statesmen bullpen continued to pitch solidly, as Garrett Pickens and Tim Maloney combined to allow one run over the final four innings.  Pickens gave up the run, throwing two innings with a pair of walks and strikeouts.  Maloney pitched the eighth, allowing one hit with a strikeout and a walk. 

Delta State wraps up the Mulerider Classic with a showdown with GSC West Division foe Ouachita Baptist.  First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Mulerider Field.