DECATUR, Ala.-The Delta State University Lady Statesmen softball team picked up an important split on the final day of the 2011 GSC Crossover at Wilson Morgan Park.

DSU posted an 8-5 come from behind win in eight innings over West Georgia in game one, before falling 4-2 in a hard fought contest to No. 1 ranked Alabama Huntsville in game two.

The Lady Statesmen (15-25, 6-12) and West Georgia (20-19, 9-10) each struggled to find a hit through the first two plus innings of play, before Maggie Jackson's two RBI double gave DSU the lead in the top of the fourth inning.

Victoria Combs singled to left field, scoring Jackson to give DSU what seemed a commanding 3-0 lead.

After allowing only one hit through four innings, DSU starter Brittany Gonzales seemed to be in control before a pair of two out triples by Kristin Hall and Meagan Sitton tied the game at 3-3.

Maggie Jackson responded in a big way, with a first pitch towering home run to left field to lead off the top of the sixth that gave DSU a 4-3 lead.

Gonzales was chased from the game after a leadoff walk by Nicole Yancey of UWG was followed by a two run home run for Kaley Sullivan that gave the Wolves the 5-4 lead.

Trailing 5-4 in the top of the seventh, Lauren Lewis led off the inning with a base hit against Yancey who entered the game as a relief pitcher in the seventh.

Following a sacrifice bunt by Meagan Church, a Crista Richard single advanced Church to third base. The game was then tied at 5-5 on an RBI groundout by Taylor Hughes. DSU loaded the bases with one out, but could not find a way to score the go ahead run.

Relief pitcher Sara Davis shut down the Wolves in the 7th to set up the top of the eighth.

The Lady Statesmen capitalized on a pair of errors to start the top of the eighth inning that allowed Christian Hunter and Combs to reach safely. Pinch runner Katie Hebert scored the go ahead run off of a Lewis base hit through the left side.

Also in the inning, Emily Todd moved her hitting streak to eight games with a two RBI hit to left center.

After allowing a two out infield single, Davis then retired Yancey to end the game.

Davis (3-1) picked up the win in relief of Gonzales. The Demopolis, Ala., native allowed three hits in three innings. Gonzales allowed five runs on six hits in five innings.

Yancey (8-10) took the loss in relief, allowing four runs (one earned) in two innings. Antoinette Diaz worked five innings as the starter, and allowed four runs on five hits. Holly Barnlund threw one scoreless inning for the Wolves.

Richard finished 3-for-5, while Jackson, Todd and Lewis each had two hits for DSU. Jackson's three RBI's were a career best.

Ashlyn Newman and Megan Garcia each had two hits for UWG.

The No. 1 ranked Alabama-Huntsville Chargers entered the final game with DSU winners of 38 straight Crossover games, with its last loss coming in 2005 to DSU.

With two outs in the bottom of the first, Stephanie Needham sent a Victoria Combs pitch a mile high over the left field fence to give UAH the 1-0 lead.
Angela Carden led off the top of the second with a double to right against UAH starter Whitney Gilbert. A two out double by Lauren Lewis scored Carden, making it a 1-1 game.

The Lady Statesmen took a 2-1 lead when Meagan Church recorded her first of three hits that scored Lewis following a throwing error at home plate.

The Chargers (35-1, 19-0) regained the lead in the bottom of the inning when a double by Sam Deep scored a pair of runs, giving her team a 3-2 lead.

Needham drove in her second run of the game in the bottom of the fifth, scoring Kelli Long who reached with a double.

The Lady Statesmen had a chance to potentially tie the game in the seventh, but with runners on second and third, Emily Todd struck out looking to end the game.

The strikeout ended Todd's 12 game hitting streak, while an 0-for-4 performance by Richard ended an eight game hitting streak. The 3-for-3 performance for Church three hits was a career best.

Combs (8-9) took the tough loss, as she allowed four runs on seven scattered hits, with two strikeouts and a walk.

Gilbert (11-1) earned the win, as she allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits to go along with 10 strikeouts.

The Lady Statesmen finished the four day event with a respectable 3-4 mark, and are fighting for one of four GSC Tournament spots for West Division teams.

DSU will return to action Saturday, April 16th with the first of a four game set versus Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Ark.

First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.