Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CLEVELAND – Delta State University Statesmen starters Josh Branstetter and Brandon Hardin pitched the green-and-white to a doubleheader sweep Saturday, 8-1and 8-0, over Christian Brothers University at Ferriss Field. The duo gave up just one run in a combined 16 innings of work, while senior centerfielder Michael Niemann delivered six RBIs in the two games. The Statesmen improved to 21-11 overall and 7-1 in Gulf South Conference play, while the Buccaneers slipped to 14-14-1 and 0-7-1 in league play.

“Josh Branstetter and Brandon Hardin really pitched well for us today,” stated DSU head coach Mike Kinnison. “We'll go after the series sweep tomorrow with Aaron Newcombe starting for us.”

The Statesmen wasted little time in the bottom of the first jumping out to a 1-0 lead on Cameron Robulak's RBI single to left.

CBU starter Alex Sikes struck out Craig Herman to start the second, but hit Anthony Even and Justin Badon on back-to-back pitches. With Even at second and Badon at first, Michael Niemann smashed a three-run home run over the right field deck, putting DSU up 4-0.

The green-and-white made it 5-0 in the third on Herman's sac-fly RBI to left, scoring Vinson from third.

CBU finally put three back-to-back hits together in the fourth to crack the Branstetter code and plate their first run. Lane Hardin delivered the RBI single to center, scoring Jimmy Franklin from second, who singled to lead off the inning.

DSU extended the lead to 7-1 in the bottom of the fourth, plating two runs on two aided by two CBU errors. Badon led off the inning with a single to center and came around to score on Niemann's RBI double to right center.

Herman collected his second RBI of the game in the fifth, as the junior smashed a single to left that scored Taylor, who was hit by a pitch, from second. The RBI shot gave the Statesmen an 8-1 lead.

Josh Branstetter (5-1) made the lead stand up, as the sophomore right-hander claimed the complete game victory. The sophomore from Pensacola, Fla., allowed one run on six hits with four strikeouts in the victory.

Alex Sikes (3-2) took the loss after tossing 3.0 innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Jon Michael Davis (4.0) and Drew Tatum also worked in relief.

Niemann led the Statesmen with four RBIs on 3 of 4 batting with two runs scored. Hermann added two RBIs off his two hit performance.

Lans Hardin led CBU with a 3 for 4 performance at the plate.

The Statesmen jumped right back into the fray in game two, scoring six runs in the second to take a 6-0 lead. Anthony Even provided an RBI single and Michael Niemann delivered a two-RBI single in the inning. A bases loaded error by CBU third baseman Jake Williams allowed three runs to come around to score to cap the inning.

Jon Carnahan's towering home run to left in the third put the Statesmen up 7-0 on CBU starter Cary Crain.

CBU made a pitching change in the bottom of the sixth, as Jake Garbusinski came in to pitch for Crain. DSU's Even slapped a single through the right side. After stealing second, Even came in to score in Bozeman's RBI single to left, putting DSU up 8-0.

DSU's Brandon Hardin (4-2) earned the complete game shutout, two-hit victory. The Pinckneyville, Ill., native tossed all 7.0 innings, allowing two hits with four strikeouts. The Kaskaskia (Ill.) College transfer retired the first 13 batters he faced before allowed a single to Aaron Smith in the fifth. It was one of the most dominating performances of the season for the Statesmen.

Crain (1-1) took the loss for the Bucs after throwing 5.0 innings and giving up seven runs on four hits. Grabuzinski worked the sixth in relief.

Niemann once again led the Statesmen with two RBIs, while Even paced Delta State with a pair of hits. Carnahan finished the game 1 for 2 with a solo home run, his third of the season.

The Statesmen welcome the Crusaders of William Carey University on Tuesday, April 5. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. at Ferriss Field. Matt Jones and Jimmy Smith will have the call in the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 3:45 p.m. with the “Shelter Insurance Statesman Dugout Report.”