Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MAGNOLIA, Ark. – It was a record setting night for the Delta State University Statesmen (17-10, 5-0 GSC) baseball team, as the green-and-white took the first two games Saturday from the No. 20 Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (17-9, 2-3 GSC) 7-6 and 10-0 at Mulerider Field. Coach Mike Kinnison claimed his 640th career win to take sole possession of the school's career wins mark, while Michael Niemann broke the career stolen bases record with a pair of steals in game one.

In game one, after the Statesmen threatened in the top of the first, the Muleriders took advantage of a leadoff triple by Trey Buck. On the next pitch from Statesman starter Brandon Hardin, Gavan MacCauley smashed a single to left, scoring Buck from third. Designated hitter Chris Harrison drew a walk with MacCauley at second. Brandon Choate delivered a rocket shot down the left field line bringing in both runners for a 3-0 SAU lead.

A bit of trickery from the Statesmen in the top of the fourth led to the first run for the green-and-white, as a double steal attempt allowed Michael Vinson to swipe home. The run cut the SAU lead to 3-1.

Will McGinnis tied it up for the Statesmen in the top of the fifth, drilling a two-RBI double off the wall in right-center field. The blast scored Justin Badon and Michael Niemann, both of delivered back-to-back singles prior to McGinnis' at-bat.

In the bottom of the fifth, Brandon Choate deposited Hardin's first pitch over the right-center field wall to reclaim the lead for SAU 4-3.

Down 4-3 with SAU having runners on first and second with two outs, DSU head coach Mike Kinnison brought Garrett Pickens out of the bullpen to face SAU catcher Choate, who was 3 for 3 with three RBIs. Pickens quickly fell behind 3-1 in the count, but worked his way back to record the strike and end the inning.

In the seventh, the Statesmen took a 5-4 lead on a pass ball that brought Hermann home from third and a sac-fly RBI from Bozeman scored Niemann from third after the senior swiped the base.

Cameron Robulak put the Statesmen up two, 6-4, in the eighth, as the junior from Toronto, Ontario launched a Dan Bream offering over the fieldhouse beyond the right field wall.

Pickens surrendered a run in the eighth to make it 6-5 after hitting Adam Boucher to start the inning and walking Buck. After MacCauley bunted the runners over, Williams delivered a sac-fly RBI to center that scored Boucher from third.

The Statesmen secured an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Niemann drew a leadoff walk and moved over to second on a bunt sacrifice by McGinnis. Bozeman once again brought home a run with a sac-fly to center, scoring Niemann from third, who stole the base a pitch earlier.

Leading 7-5 going into the bottom of the ninth, SAU loaded the bases without a hit off DSU's Pickens. With two outs, coach Kinnison brought in closer Brent Hallmark to shut down the Mulerider uprising. It took a batter for the junior to find his groove, walking in a run, but Hallmark coaxed MacCauley to flyout to McGinnis to end the game.

The win gave coach Mike Kinnison his 640th career win, passing legendary Statesman skipper Dave “Boo” Ferriss for the school wins record. Niemann also took sole possession of the career stolen bases record with his two steals. The senior from Yelm, Wash., has 73 career steals, passing Heath Bailey (1994-1996), who held the record of 71 for 15 years.

Pickens (2-0) earned the win in relief. The Yazoo City native worked 3.0 innings while allowing two runs on no hits with three walks and six strikeouts. Hallmark (2) nailed down the save after working a third of an inning while allowing a walk.

Hardin, who started the game but did not factor in the decision, worked 5.2 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits with seven walks and two strikeouts.

Bream (7-1) was saddled with his first loss of the year. The senior from Saline, Mich., threw 7.0 innings giving up six runs on seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

McGinnis and Bozeman finished the contest with two RBIs each, while Niemann and Taylor collected two hits each.

Choate led the Muleriders with three hits and three RBIs.

In game two, the Statesmen took advantage of a shaky start by SAU's Ziggy Vanderwall to score six runs in the second inning on seven hits. DSU sent 11 men to the plate with Carnahan collecting two RBIs . Hermann and Niemann drove in one each as well. All six runs came off Vanderwall.
DSU chased Vanderwall from the game, bringing in Devin Avery. Avery allowed the two RBI single to Carnahan, but struck out Vinson to end the inning.

DSU kept the pressure on SAU in the third, plating another run on a balk by Avery.

The Statesmen put it away in the sixth with three runs on a hit, taking a commanding 10-0 lead. Vinson started the scoring with an RBI single to left. A throwing error by SAU leftfielder Trent Rogers, allowed Robulak to score from third. Hermann wrapped up the inning with a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch.

Branstetter (4-1) locked down the win in the seventh, recording his 12th strikeout of the game. The sophomore from Pensacola, Fla., recorded the three hit shutout while walking just one batter.

Vanderwall (3-2) took the loss. SAU used four total pitchers in the game, combining for 10 strikeouts in the loss.

Carnahan and Hermann closed out the game with two RBIs each. Bozeman, Badon and Carnahan all had two hits each.

The Statesmen and Muleriders will conclude the series on Sunday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Mulerider Field. Matt Jones and Jimmy Smith have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network.