CLEVELAND-Christina Hunter slapped a single to right field in the bottom of the ninth to give DSU a 3-2 win in game one, but Arkansas Tech bounced back to take game two 4-1, Friday at University Field.

Hunter's single down the right field line scored pinch runner Katie Hebert from second base to give the Lady Statesmen their fifth straight win. The game one loss was the fifth in six games for ATU (27-17,17-7).

Game one starter Brittany Gonzales held ATU scoreless until the top of the third when Shelby Jo Fenter hit a two run home run to right-center to give the Golden Suns the 2-0 lead.

DSU (20-26,11-13) got its first run of the contest with a two out single down the right field line by Marisa Sanders that scored Crista Richard.

The Lady Statesmen were down to their final out in the bottom of the seventh, when Angela Carden slapped a first pitch single to left field, scoring Emily Todd, who led off the inning with a double.

After back-to-back singles by Todd and Sanders in the bottom of the ninth, Maggie Jackson struck out looking and Carden lined out to left, setting up Hunter's game winning hit.

Amy Kilpatrick finished with two of the five hits for the Golden Suns. Richard, Todd, Sanders and Hunter each had two hits for DSU, as the Lady Statesmen finished with 10 hits.

ATU did not record a hit after the sixth inning.

Gonzales (7-15) went the distance in the win. The sophomore struck out five. Amy Horne (3-1) took the loss, as she allowed three runs on nine hits. Chelsea Evanoff recorded two outs in the bottom of the ninth, before allowing the game winning single.

The Lady Statesmen took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Marisa Sanders smashed a solo home run to left against Tech starter Alex Doyle.

Tech scored its first two runs of the game in the top of the fourth, while picking up five hits in the inning. With one out, and the bases loaded, Gonzales entered in relief of DSU starter Victoria Combs. Gonzales retired the next two Golden Suns hitters to end the inning.

Tech added two insurance runs in the top of the sixth with a two run home run with two outs by Tiphani Moon. Sara Davis pitched the final 1.1 innings for DSU, as she entered in relief of Gonzales following the homerun.

Doyle (10-9) allowed one run on four hits in the win. Combs (10-10) took the loss, allowing two runs on six hits. Gonzales allowed two runs on three hits in 2.1 innings of relief.  

Shanda Jimeson, Hayley Hundson, Natalie Magie, and Moon each had two hits for ATU, as the Suns finished with 11 hits.

The series will conclude on Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

DSU will honor its lone senior, Richard, before game one.