GAME NOTES: Statesmen Baseball at William Carey/Southern Arkansas (3.23-27.11)
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CLEVELAND - The Statesmen (15-9, 3-0 GSCW) of Delta State University hope to continue the momentum the squad has gained in the last two weeks, as the green-and-white take to the road with a single game at William Carey University (14-10) and a weekend Gulf South Conference series at No. 20 Southern Arkansas University (15-7, 2-1 GSCW).

In their last 13 games, the Statesmen have claimed 11 victories, including six straight. During that time, the offense has come to life averaging 10 runs per game, while seeing the team batting average climb 39 points.

DSU used their improved offense and solid starting pitching to sweep away Arkansas-Monticello (9-11) last weekend 16-5, 8-1 and 17-5. With the sweep, DSU is tied with No. 30 Harding (23-4) and Arkansas Tech (15-10) for the GSC West Division lead heading into week two.

DSU kicks off the week on Wednesday at William Carey's Milton Wheeler Field. Game time is set for 4 p.m. The game marks the 115th meeting all-time between the two schools with DSU holding a 72-42 advantage in the series standings.

The Statesmen close the week on the road at No. 20 Southern Arkansas. The three-game GSC series will start at 3 p.m./DH on Saturday and end Sunday at 2 p.m. in Magnolia, Ark. DSU leads the series 54-24, including a 5-4 loss on March 12 at SAU.

All four games will air on the Statesmen Sports Network starting 15 minutes prior to first pitch with the "Shelter Insurance Statesmen Dugout Report."  Matt Jones and Jimmy Smith will have the call. 

STATESMAN TO WATCH - KELLEN BOZEMAN • 1B • Senior • Baton Rouge, La.
Senior first baseman Kellen Bozeman is this week's “Statesman to Watch” after going 7 for 17 last week with 11 RBIs to lead the Statesmen to a 5-0 record, including a GSC sweep of UA-Monticello.

The Baton Rouge, La., native is batting .356 on the season with 10 doubles, a triple, two home runs and a team-leading 32 RBIs. In 87 at-bats, Bozeman has collected 31 hits with 22 runs scored. He's also swiped 6 of 8 bases this season and has committed just two errors at first base this season.

MOMENTUM SWINGING TOWARDS STATESMEN
After getting off to a very slow start by Delta State comparisons, the Statesmen may have turned the corner, winning 11 of their last 13 games heading into this week. The Statesmen have claimed six straight, including a sweep of Arkansas-Monticello 16-5, 8-1 and 17-5 in the Gulf South Conference opener for both clubs. DSU hopes to carry that momentum into this week's games at William Carey and No. 20 Southern Arkansas.

ONE AWAY - NIEMANN CHASING STEALS RECORD
Senior centerfielder Michael Niemann is 13 for 16 in stolen base attempts this season, inching closer to Heath Bailey's school record 71 steals.

The Yelm, Wash., native is second all-time with 70 career stolen bases, needing two steals to break the school record.

CAREER STOLEN BASE LEADERBOARD
1 Heath Bailey, 1994-1996 71
2 Michael Niemann, 2008-Present 70
3 Frank Smith, 1998-2001 62

ROAD WARRIORS
The Statesmen will certainly know how Mad Max felt over the next couple of games, as DSU is scheduled to play its next six games on the road. The away swing features series at No. 20 Southern Arkansas (15-7) and No. 29 Abilene Christian (14-10). Sandwiched between those series is a single game at long-time Magnolia state rival William Carey (14-10).

Delta State has been solid on the road over the last two seasons, racking up a combined 36-19-1 record. When the road trip is over the Statesmen will have covered nearly 2,000 miles.

STATESMEN RANK NO.1 ALL-TIME IN WINS IN GSC
Delta State University baseball holds the distinction of owning the most conference titles (11) in Gulf South Conference history. DSU also holds the honor of being the all-time winningest program in league history with 1,716 victories.

Since 1933, the Statesmen are 1,716-857-11. The University of North Alabama and University of West Alabama are the only other schools with over 1,000 all-time wins.

STATESMEN TO BATTLE CRUSADERS IN MIDWEEK
Two of Mississippi's top collegiate baseball programs will square off at Milton Wheeler Field on Wednesday, March 23, as Delta State travels to William Carey. The game marks the 115th meeting all-time between the two school's with DSU holding a 72-42 edge in the series.

DSU claimed two one-run victories over WCU last season, winning 13-12 in Hattiesburg and 4-3 in Cleveland.

GSC PLAY HEATING UP: STATESMEN FACE MULERIDERS
The Delta State University Statesmen and Southern Arkansas University know a thing or two about winning, as the two GSC clubs have claimed seven GSC crowns since 2000. The clash of the West Division titans will continue on Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27, as DSU travels to Magnolia, Ark.

The Statesmen lead the all-time series 54-24, including a 5-4 SAU win on March 12 at Mulerider Field. Last season, the Statesmen took 2 of 3 from the Muleriders at Ferriss Field. In 2009, DSU claimed 2 of 3 and the series win at SAU.

NIEMANN PACING STATESMEN AT PLATE
Senior centerfielder Michael Niemann enters this week's stretch of games leading the Statesmen with a .377 average. The Yelm, Wash., native ranks ninth in the GSC in hitting, while leading the league in triples (3) and runs scored (36). His 13 stolen bases are good for fifth in the GSC as well.

BOZEMAN'S BAT LIGHTING UP AT RIGHT TIME
After missing all of last season with an injury and suffering through an early season slump, senior first baseman and Martinez Award candidate Kellen Bozeman is starting to produce at the plate for the Statesmen.

The Baton Rouge, La., native went 7 for 17 last week with 11 RBIs to lead the Statesmen to a 5-0 record, including a GSC sweep of UA-Monticello. For the season, Bozeman is batting .356 with 10 doubles, a triple, two home runs and a team-leading 32 RBIs. In 87 at-bats, Bozeman has collected 31 hits with 22 runs scored. He's also swiped 6 of 8 bases this season and has committed just two errors at first base this season.

His 32 RBIs rank second in the GSC, while his 10 doubles are currently tied for fourth.

VINSON RIDING SIX GAME HIT STREAK
Sophomore left fielder Michael Vinson is currently riding a six game hitting streak to lead the Statesmen. After an early season slump, the Southaven native is batting .333 with five doubles, one home run and 16 RBIs.

BADON SLIDES INTO STARTING LINEUP
His versatility is without question and his desire to play has pushed true freshman Justin Badon into the Statesmen starting lineup. With the opportunity to get into the lineup presenting itself, the Summitt native has played in 18 games with 12 starts at shortstop or second base.

He is currently batting .278 with 10 hits, one double and five RBIs. The speedy former North Pike standout has also swiped 4 of 5 bases and scored 14 runs on the season.

ROBULAK STAYS HOT FOR STATESMEN
After redshirting last season, junior designated hitter Cameron Robulak is making the most of his chance to play this year with the Statesmen. Through 24 games, the Toronto, Ontario native is second on the team in batting (.359) and RBIs (27), while leading the club in home runs (5).

BOZEMAN LEADING STATESMEN IN MULTI-HIT/RBI GAMES
With the Statesmen 24 games into the season, Kellen Bozeman has accounted for nine multi-hit and 10 multi-RBI games this season. Both numbers lead the Statesmen.

McGINNIS GETTING McNASTY AT THE PLATE
Senior right fielder Will McGinnis has turned up his play at the plate, batting .345 on the season with eight doubles, one triple and 16 RBIs.

The Springdale, Ark., native has played in 21 games with 16 starts in the outfield. The former Crowder (Mo.) College transfer is also perfect in the field, having played safely without an error in all 21 games. In his 30 chances, McGinnis has recorded 28 putouts and two outfield assists.

NEWCOMB AND HARDIN FORM STRONG 1-2 PUNCH
Junior transfers Aaron Newcomb and Brandon Hardin form quite the 1-2 punch for the Statesmen pitching staff. The duo have combined for 72 strikeouts on the year, while walking 26.

Newcomb, a 6-foot-3 right-hander from Centralia, Ill., is 4-3 on the season with a 5.08 ERA. In his seven starts, the Olney Central College transfer has allowed 25 runs on 45 hits with 12 walks and 35 strikeouts. He also fanned eight Boll Weevils in his last start for DSU.

Hardin, a 6-foot-1 righty from Pickneyville, Ill., is 3-2 with a 4.45 ERA. The former Kaskaskia College standout has started six games for DSU, surrendering 18 runs on 31 hits with 14 walks and a team-high 37 strikeouts. In his last outing versus UAM, Hardin struck out nine Boll Weevils while earning in the win.

BRANSTETTER SETTLING INTO ROTATION
After missing most of January and February with a broken foot, sophomore right-hander Josh Branstetter is settling into the Statesmen rotation nicely. In four appearances and three starts, the Pensacola, Fla., native is 3-1 with a 2.41 ERA. In 18.2 innings pitched, he has allowed nine runs, five earned, on 16 hits with four walks and 14 strikeouts.

In DSU's 17-5 victory in the series finale with UA-Monticello, Branstetter went 6.0 innings, allowing four runs on five hits with a walk and four strikeouts to claim the win.

HARDIN STRIKING OUT THE OPPOSITION
Junior right-hander Brandon Hardin enters the week ranked ninth in the GSC in strikeouts with 37. In his six starts, the Pickneyville, Ill., native has thrown 32.1 innings. He is averaging 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings.

BULLPEN BY COMMITTEE
One of the bright spots so far this season for DSU has been the bullpen. With a combined 4-1 record, the bullpen has been a plus for coach Mike Kinnison thus far. Led by closer Brent Hallmark (1-0/1.17 ERA) and reliever Garrett Pickens (1-0/2.63 ERA), the Statesmen have plenty of options down the line this season.

DON'T RUN ON ME...
Senior catcher Patrick Taylor has sent a message to all opposing base runners this season, “don't run on me.” The Arab, Ala., native has thrown out seven base runners this season and added two pickoffs at first to his list of gun-slinging accomplishments.

DECIDED BY THE SIXTH
The Statesmen certainly know how to put the opposition away, boasting a 15-1 record when leading after six innings. On the flip side, DSU is 0-8 when trailing after six.

FUNNY MATH..ERRORS = WINS?
The Statesmen have proven the baseball gods wrong so far this season, as Delta State is 12-3 when committing one or more errors in a game. In fact, DSU is 6-1 when committing 2+ errors in a game this season.

HOME SWEET HOME
Dave “Boo” Ferriss Field has been the home for the Statesmen for 46 seasons and the friendly confines have been nearly perfect for DSU this season. Through 11 games at Ferriss Field, the Statesmen are 10-1.