Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CLEVELAND – The Delta State University Statesmen (25-15, 10-4 GSC) split a Saturday doubleheader with the Arkansas Tech University Wonder Boys (25-14, 11-3 GSC) winning game one 12-3, but dropping the night cap 2-1 at Ferriss Field. With the split, ATU retains a first place tie with Harding in the Gulf South Conference West Division race, while the Statesmen remain a game back heading into Sunday's series finale.

Game one proved to be a slugfest for the Statesmen, as DSU collected 12 runs on 12 hits while ATU managed three runs on seven hits, but it didn't start out so well for the men in green-and-white.

The Wonder Boys jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Statesman starter Josh Branstetter in the third inning as Madison Beaird roped a two-RBI single to center. ATU had loaded the bases prior to Beaird's single, but Branstetter was able to work out if the jam.

With two outs in the bottom of the third, Michael Vinson slapped a single to center, scoring Will McGinnis, who walked, from second.

After retiring ATU in the top of the fourth, the Statesmen plated three runs to take a 4-2 lead on an RBI hit-by-pitch to Anthony Even and a two-RBI single to left by Kellen Bozeman.

The Statesmen broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth, as Michael Niemann connected on a grand slam and Cameron Robulak scored on a fielder's choice to put the green-and-white up 9-2. DSU loaded up the bases thanks to a walk to Robulak, a hit-by-pitch to Taylor and a single by Herrmann.

ATU plated a run in the sixth without a hit. Wonder Boys third baseman Nick Makris scored as Colt Loehers grounded into a double play. Makris had advance to third on an error by Brent Kakwitch.

DSU put three insurance runs on the scoreboard in the seventh to take a commanding 12-3 lead. McGinnis, Bozeman and Kakwitch all delivered RBI hits in the deciding inning.

Josh Branstetter (6-1) made it stand up, retiring the side in the eighth and ninth for the win. The hard-throwing right-hander collected the complete game win, surrendering three runs on seven hits with a pair of strikeouts.

Cody Hatman (2-1) took the loss after throwing 4.1 innings and giving up five runs on five hits with four walks and a strikeout. Tyler Dowse worked 3.2 innings of relief for ATU. The right-hander gave up seven runs on seven hits with two walks and a strikeout.

Bozeman went 3 for 4 with three RBIs to lead DSU. Niemann was 1 for 5 with four RBIs while Taylor and Herrmann finished with two hits each.

Beard paced the Wonder Boys with a 2 for 4 effort and two RBIs.

In game two, Danny Parker (7-2) threw a complete game for the Wonder Boys, allowing one run on four hits in a 2-1 victory over the Statesmen. Parker walked five and struck out four in the win for ATU.

The Wonder Boys took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on back-to-back home runs by Colt Loehers (6) and Josh Riley (8).

Craig Herrmann's two out RBI single to right cut the Wonder Boy's lead to 2-1 and gave the Statesmen a little momentum heading into the fifth.

Aaron Newcomb (5-6) was the hard luck loser for the Statesmen. The junior from Centralia, Ill., went the distance as well for DSU, giving up two runs on four hits with one walk and six strikeouts.

DSU had chances in the fifth and sixth innings, but couldn't get the hit they needed to scratch out a run.

Parker retired the side in order in the seventh to seal the win.

The Statesmen and Wonder Boys will conclude the series on Sunday, April 17 at Ferriss Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. DSU Baseball will honor its 10 seniors prior to first pitch at 1:45 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 1:45 p.m. Matt Jones and Jimmy Smith will have the call.