GAME NOTES: Statesmen Baseball at Harding University (4.22-23.11)
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CLEVELAND - The Statesmen (26-15, 11-4 GSCW) of Delta State University will square off with the West Division leading Bisons (35-8, 12-3 GSC) of Harding University this Friday (12 pm/DH) and Saturday (1pm) at Jerry Moore Field in Searcy, Ark., in a key Gulf South Conference West Division and in-region series.

The series between Delta State and Harding marks the 35th time the two schools have met on the diamond. The Statesmen have dominated the series over the years, leading the series standings 29-5.

DSU owns a 15-4 record at Jerry Moore Field as well. Last season, DSU dropped the series opener at HU 8-7 (10), but bounced back for wins in game two and three 9-4 and 6-1.

The Statesmen enter the weekend fresh off a series victory over Arkansas Tech 2-1. Kellen Bozeman, the reigning GSC West Player of the Week, led the Statesmen on the weekend going 7 for 12 with 10 RBIs, while hitting for the cycle in Sunday's 15-11 win.

Senior left-hander David Mooney (2-1) also shined in the series finale on Sunday, tossing 4.2 scoreless innings of relief on Senior Day. The Clinton native collected the victory in relief and put DSU in position to win the series.

The Bisons battled back on Sunday at collect the series sweep at Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Ark., claiming the top spot in the GSC West.

Mississippi State transfer Jason Nappi is the unquestioned leader of the Bisons at the plate. The Birmingham, Ala., native is batting .414 with 10 doubles, six triples, eight home runs and 45 RBIs.

On the hill, Logan Holthaus has been a thorn in the side of every HU opponent. The right-hander is 5-0 with a 2.90 ERA.

STATESMAN TO WATCH: 1B - Kellen Bozeman (6-2/205/Sr.)
This weeks “Statesman to Watch” is senior first baseman Kellen Bozeman. The Baton Rouge, La., native totaled 10 RBIs, seven hits and four runs in his 12 at bats this past weekend against Arkansas Tech.

In the third and final game of the series, Bozeman hit for the cycle against the Wonder Boys. He now leads the team in batting average (.378), slugging percentage (.583), hits (59), runs batted in (48), doubles (19), at bats (156) and games started and played (41). He was named GSC West Player of the Week on Tuesday. 

STATESMEN TO BATTLE BISONS FOR GSC WEST LEAD
For a second straight weekend, the Delta State University Statesmen will square off with an opponent with the GSC West Division lead on the line. DSU (11-4) enters the weekend series at Harding one game back of division leading Bisons (12-3). Friday's doubleheader begins at noon while Saturday's single game begins at 1 p.m. All three games will be played at Jerry Moore Field.

Arkansas Tech (11-4) is tied with the Statesmen for second in the West, but DSU owns the tiebreaker with the Wonder Boys after taking 2 of 3 last weekend. ATU faces Henderson State this weekend in Russellville, Ark.

GSC WEST FAREWELL TOUR CONTINUES AS STATESMEN-BISONS MEET FOR 35th TIME
This weekend's three game series between the Statesmen and Bisons marks the 35th meeting all-time between the two GSC foes. Delta State has dominated the series over the years holding a 29-5 edge in the series standings. Harding is among the schools in Arkansas pulling out of the GSC after this season to start a new conference.

NCAA RELEASES SOUTH REGION POLL
The only polls that really matter in NCAA Division II are the regional rankings released by the NCAA for each sport. On Wednesday, the NCAA released the first South Region Poll and the Statesmen are seventh heading into this week's series at HU.

TEAM OVERALL DII
1. West Florida 37-5 32-5
2. Barry 30-12 27-10
3. North Alabama 30-10 23-10
4. Southern Arkansas 25-13 20-10
5. Nova Southeastern 26-13 20-13
6. Tampa 27-13 19-10
7. Delta State 26-15 22-14
8. Harding 35-8 24-7
9. Florida Southern 26-9 14-8
10. Lynn 22-18 13-12

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 1,727 victories.

Since 1933, the Statesmen are 1,726-863-11. The University of North Alabama and University of West Alabama are the only other schools with over 1,000 all-time wins.

BOZEMAN COLLECTS GSC WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kellen Bozeman is the second DSU player to take home accolades this season, helping the Statesmen to score 29 runs in three games last weekend against Arkansas Tech. The senior was a one-man wrecking crew versus the Wonder Boys, pounding out 10 RBIs thanks to two doubles, one triple and one home run. The Baton Rouge, La., native sent ATU back to Russellville after hitting for the cycle in five at bats and totaling seven RBIs in a 15-11 triumph. He opened the series with a 3 for 4 performance in game one along with three RBIs and one double.

TRIO OF STATESMEN COLLECTING RBIs IN DROVES
Kellen Bozeman (48), Michael Niemann (44), and Cameron Robulak (39) have collected RBIs in droves this season for the Statesmen. All three are ranked in the top 15 in the GSC in RBIs.

NIEMANN CRACKS 250th CAREER HIT
Michael Niemann, a senior center fielder from Yelm, Wash., collected his 250th career hit on Saturday, April 11 with his 2 for 6 game one performance against Ouachita Baptist. The four-year letter winner ranks ninth in Delta State University baseball history in hits with 253. Brian Rea (1997-2000) holds the school record with 302 hits.

HERRMANN RIDING NINE GAME HIT STREAK
Despite some recent struggles at the plate, junior shortstop Craig Herrmann is riding a team-high nine game hitting streak heading into this weekend's series at Harding. The Fort Worth, Texas native is batting 313 with three doubles and 17 RBIs.

BOZEMAN TOPS 50 HITS; ONE AWAY FROM 60 AFTER ATU
Senior first baseman Kellen Bozeman has topped 50 hits on the season with 59, which ranks seventh in the GSC, after collecting seven hits in last weekend's series with Arkansas Tech University. The Baton Rouge, La., native was 7 for 12 at the plate with three doubles, a triple, one home run and 10 RBIs.

MOONEY DELIVERS ON SENIOR DAY
With the series on the line Sunday against Arkansas Tech, DSU head coach Mike Kinnison called senior left-hander David Mooney out of the bullpen with the Statesmen trailing 11-10. The Clinton native hurled 4.2 scoreless innings of relief and gave the Statesmen a chance to comeback and win it at the plate. DSU did just that 15-11. Mooney (2-1) allowed four hits with a walk and three strikeouts en route to the victory.

WITH STEALS RECORD IN HAND; NIEMANN CLIMBING INTO TOP 10 IN FIVE CATEGORIES
Senior center fielder Michael Niemann is 22 for 26 in stolen base attempts this season, passing Heath Bailey (71) for the school's career steals record with 79. The senior has also climbed into the top 10 in career hits (253/9th), runs (209/6th), doubles (47/10th), RBIs (167/8th) and triples (10/4th).

Through 41 games, Niemann is batting .331 (49 of 148) with 12 doubles, four triples, six home runs and 44 RBIs. He is also leading the Statesmen with 22 stolen bases, which ranks third in the GSC.

NIEMANN IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
Michael Niemann enters this weekend's series with Harding ranking sixth in the nation in runs scored with 55. In 41 games, Niemann has scored 55 runs, which is second in the GSC behind ATU's Matt Johnson (62), while averaging 1.34 runs per game. He's also 20th nationally in triples with 10.

BOZEMAN PACING GSC IN DOUBLES; 5th NATIONALLY
After slamming 18 doubles as a junior, Kellen Bozeman has already passed that number with 19 this season to lead the GSC heading into the Harding series. He ranks fifth nationally in doubles through 41 games. In just two seasons, Bozeman has collected 37 career two baggers.

TAYLOR AND BOZEMAN SCORCHING IN GSC PLAY
Kellen Bozeman and Patrick Taylor enter this weekend's road trip to Harding both hitting over .430 in Gulf South Conference play. Bozeman is batting .483 (29 of 60) with seven doubles and 25 RBIs against GSC competition while Taylor is batting .439 (18 of 41) with two doubles and 10 RBIs.

BRANSTETTER CONTINUES TO ANCHOR ROTATION
Sophomore right-hander Josh Branstetter has settled nicely into the No. 1 spot in the rotation after working back from a broken foot. The Pensacola, Fla., native is 6-1 this season with a 1.95 ERA in seven starts and eight appearances.

In 50.2 innings pitched, Branstetter has allowed 21 runs, 11 earned, with a league-low 10 walks and 35 strikeouts. Opposing batters are hitting just .218 against him this season.

DSU ELEVATES PLAY IN GSC
The Statesmen have picked up their level of play every weekend in GSC action. DSU is batting .349 in league play, while posting a 4.39 ERA. In regular season games, the Statesmen are hitting .321 and boast a 4.47 ERA.

STATESMEN RANK SECOND IN NCAA IN HBPs
The Statesmen enter this weekend's series at Harding University ranking second in the NCAA with 92 hit-by-pitches. The number is second in the GSC behind national leader Alabama-Huntsville's 105 through April 17.

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 10 base runners this season and added three pickoffs at first to his list of gun-slinging accomplishments.

LEFTIES NO PROBLEM
Some teams really struggle against left-handed pitching, but the Statesmen welcoming the challenge. In 12 decisions this season, the green-and-white are 10-2 against southpaws.

DECIDED BY THE SIXTH
The Statesmen certainly know how to put the opposition away, boasting a 24-2 record when leading after six innings. On the flip side, DSU is 2-11 when trailing after six.

FUNNY MATH...ERRORS = WINS?
The Statesmen have proven the baseball gods wrong so far this season, as Delta State is 20-8 when committing one or more errors in a game. In fact, DSU is 10-5 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 22 games at Ferriss Field, the Statesmen are 17-5.

NCBWA RANKS STATESMEN IN SOUTH REGION
While their poll doesn't carry the weight of the NCAA South Region rankings, the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association ranked the Statesmen (26-15) No. 8 in this week's South Region Poll.

TEAM W-L PTS PRV
1. West Florida 37-5 80 1
2. Barry (Fla.) 30-12 67 2
3. North Alabama 36-10 57 4
4. Florida Southern 26-9 56 3
5. Harding (Ark.) 35-8 55 5
6. Tampa (Fla.) 27-13 34 6
7. Nova Southeastern (Fla.) 26-13 32 7
8. Delta State (Miss.) 26-15 21 8
9. Benedict (S.C.) 28-7 15 RV
10. Southern Arkansas 25-13 9 RV