GAME NOTES: Statesmen Baseball at Henderson State (4.30-5.1.11)
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CLEVELAND - The No. 29 Statesmen (28-16, 13-5 GSCW) of Delta State University travel to Arkadelphia, Ark., this weekend to face the Reddies (18-23-1, 6-11-1 GSCW) of Henderson State University with the Gulf South Conference West Division title on the line.

The green-and-white are in a three-way tie for the West Division lead with Arkansas Tech and Harding. All three teams have a 13-5 divisional record, while Southern Arkansas sits a mere game back heading into the final weekend of GSC play.

The Statesmen claimed series victories against all three teams in contention and hold the tiebreaker with all three heading into next week's Gulf South Conference Baseball Tournament in Millington, Tenn., at USA Stadium.

Delta State enters the series at Henderson State fresh off a series win at then-No. 19 Harding. Sophomore right-hander Josh Branstetter (7-1/1.81 ERA) and junior right-hander Aaron Newcomb (6-6/4.35 ERA) pitched the Statesmen to complete game wins in game one (6-1) and game two (2-1) of the series. Harding battled back in game three to take the series finale 11-10.

Henderson State dropped 2 of 3 at Arkansas Tech last weekend, but threw the GSC West Division into chaos with a 15-3 victory in game two.

The Statesmen also picked up a GSC West Pitcher of the Week honor after Aaron Newcomb's performance in game two.

Senior first baseman Kellen Bozeman, a Tino Martinez Award nominee, continues his assault on the record book, inching ever closer to the school single-season record for doubles with 22.

STATESMAN TO WATCH: Aaron Newcomb, RHP
This weeks “Statesman to Watch” is junior right-handed pitcher Aaron Newcomb. The junior from Centralia, Ill., helped the Statesmen guarantee the series victory over tnen-No. 19 ranked Harding, leading Delta State to a 2-1, extra-inning victory in Game Two. The Kaskasia (Ill.) transfer went the distance in the extra-inning affair, hurling all eight frames, while striking out six batters and surrendering one earned run on six hits.

Newcomb is 6-6 on the year with a 4.35 ERA. In 72.1 innings pitched, he has 64 strikeouts against 17 walks.

STATESMEN TIED FOR GSC WEST LEAD WITH ATU/HU
For a third straight weekend, the Delta State University Statesmen will square off with an opponent with the GSC West Division lead on the line. DSU (13-5) enters the weekend series at Henderson State tied for the division lead with Harding and Arkansas Tech. Saturday's doubleheader begins at noon while Sunday's single game begins at 1 p.m. All three games will be played at Reddie Field in Arkadelphia, Ark.

GSC WEST FAREWELL TOUR CONTINUES AS STATESMEN-REDDIES MEET FOR 57th TIME
This weekend's three game series between the Statesmen and Reddies marks the 57th meeting all-time between the two GSC foes. Delta State has dominated the series over the years holding a 52-4 edge in the series standings. Henderson State 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 second South Region Poll and DSU remained seventh heading into the series at HSU.

TEAM OVERALL DII
1 West Florida 40-5 35-5
2 North Alabama 34-10 26-10
3 Barry 31-15 28-13
4 Southern Arkansas 29-13 24-10
5 Nova Southeastern 29-14 23-14
6 Tampa 29-14 21-11
7 Delta State 28-16 24-15
8 Harding 36-10 25-9
9 Florida Southern 27-11 15-10
10 Lynn 24-19 15-13

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 1,729 victories.

Since 1933, the Statesmen are 1,729-864-11. The University of North Alabama and University of West Alabama are the only other schools with over 1,000 all-time wins.

TRIO OF STATESMEN COLLECTING RBIs IN DROVES
Kellen Bozeman (54), Michael Niemann (45), and Cameron Robulak (42) 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 256. Brian Rea (1997-2000) holds the school record with 302 hits.

BOZEMAN TOPS 60 HITS/50 RBIs
Senior first baseman Kellen Bozeman has topped the 60 hits/50 RBIs list this season for the Statesmen with 64 hits and 54 RBIs heading into the Henderson State series. The Baton Rouge, La., native is a nominee for the Tino Martinez National Player of the Year Award and his work at the plate certainly makes you understand why. He is batting .381 with 22 doubles, two triples, three home runs and 54 RBIs to pace the Statesmen.

NEWCOMB NAMED GSC WEST PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Delta State University junior right-hander Aaron Newcomb claimed his first-ever Gulf South Conference West Division Pitcher of the Week honor on Tuesday and the second by a DSU hurler this season.

The junior from Centralia, Ill., helped the Statesmen guarantee the series victory over then-No. 19 ranked Harding, leading Delta State to a 2-1, extra-inning victory in Game Two. The Kaskasia (Ill.) transfer went the distance in the extra-inning affair, hurling all eight frames, while striking out six batters and surrendering one earned run on six hits.

Newcomb and the Statesmen enter this week's regular season finale in a three-way tie for first place in the West Division. The hard-throwing right-hander is 6-6 on the year with a 4.35 ERA. In 72.1 innings pitched, Newcomb has struck out 64 batters against a mere 17 walks.

BRANSTETTER JOINS BOZEMAN ON TINO MARTINEZ AWARD WATCH LIST
Sophomore right-hander Josh Branstetter has mowed down the opposition since taking over as Delta State's No. 1 starter in March after working back from a broken foot. The Pensacola, Fla., native is 7-1 this season with a 1.81 ERA in eight starts and nine appearances.

The former Pine Forest High product joined Kellen Bozeman on the Tino Martinez Award Watch List, as a nominee for the Division II National Player of the Year.

In 59.2 innings pitched, Branstetter has allowed 22 runs, 12 earned, with a league-low 10 walks and 41 strikeouts. Opposing batters are hitting just .206 against him this season.

His 1.81 ERA ranks second in the GSC while his 10 walks allowed are the lowest in the league heading into the final week of the regular season.

BOZEMAN PACING GSC IN DOUBLES; INCHING CLOSER TO DELTA STATE SEASON RECORD
After slamming 18 doubles as a junior, Kellen Bozeman has already passed that number with 22 this season to lead the GSC heading into the Henderson State series. He ranks third nationally in doubles through 44 games. In just two seasons, Bozeman has collected 40 career two baggers.

The DSU single season record for doubles is 25 currently held by Mike Kinnison (1978), Dee Haynes (1999) and Edwin Maysonet (2003). Bozeman stands three doubles away from the mark.

VINSON RIDING SIX GAME HIT STREAK
Sophomore left fielder Michael Vinson brings a six game hitting streak into this weekend's series at Henderson State. The 6-foot-2 left-hander is batting .331 with seven doubles, one home run and 29 RBIs. In the last four weeks, Vinson has brought his average up 26 points to .331 on the year.

BALL MAGNETS
Senior centerfielder Michael Niemann and junior third baseman Brent Kakwitch enter the regular season finale this weekend ranked fifth in the GSC in hit-by-pitches. The duo is tied with 14 HBPs this season. UNA's Josh Cyr leads the GSC with 24.

BOZEMAN IN THE GSC RANKINGS
Kellen Bozeman has made a strong case for GSC West Division Player of the Year this season. The senior from Baton Rouge, La., ranks eighth in batting (.381), first in doubles (22), fifth in hits (64), second in RBIs (54) and sixth in total bases (99).

His name is also found all over the NCAA rankings as well. Bozeman is third in doubles, fourth in doubles per game, 16th in RBIs, 39th in hits and 41st in total bases. All rankings are based on 500 student-athletes per category.

STRIKEOUTS A PLENTY
Juniors Aaron Newcomb and Brandon Hardin both rank in the top 10 in the GSC in strikeouts. Newcomb has recorded 64 strikeouts on 72.1 innings to rank seventh while Hardin has fanned 60 and comes in at No. 8.

WITH STEALS RECORD IN HAND; NIEMANN CLIMBING INTO TOP 10 IN FIVE CATEGORIES
Senior center fielder Michael Niemann is 22 for 27 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 (256/9th), runs (212/5th), doubles (47/10th), RBIs (168/8th) and triples (10/4th).

Through 44 games, Niemann is batting .325 (52 of 160) with 12 doubles, four triples, six home runs and 45 RBIs. He is also leading the Statesmen with 22 stolen bases, which ranks fifth in the GSC.

TAYLOR AND BOZEMAN SCORCHING IN GSC PLAY
Kellen Bozeman and Patrick Taylor enter this weekend's road trip to Henderson State both hitting over .395 in Gulf South Conference play. Bozeman is batting .472 (34 of 72) with 10 doubles and 31 RBIs against GSC competition while Taylor is batting .396 (19 of 48) with two doubles and 10 RBIs.

PERFECTION ON THE LINE FOR McGINNIS
With three games remaining in the regular season, senior rightfielder Will McGinnis will put his perfect fielding percentage on the line at Henderson State.

DSU ELEVATES PLAY IN GSC
The Statesmen have picked up their level of play every weekend in GSC action. DSU is batting .337 in league play, while posting a 4.18 ERA. In regular season games, the Statesmen are hitting .318 and boast a 4.38 ERA.

STATESMEN RANK SECOND IN NCAA IN HBPs
The Statesmen enter this weekend's series at Harding University ranking second in the NCAA with 96 hit-by-pitches. The number is second in the GSC behind national leader Alabama-Huntsville's 107 through April 24.

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 25-3 record when leading after six innings. On the flip side, DSU is 3-12 when trailing after six.

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The old adage is right, defense wins championships. The Statesmen have been solid with the glove this season, ranking third in the GSC in fielding percentage. Through 44 games, DSU has a .963 fielding percentage while committing just 55 errors. Only Southern Arkansas (.972) and West Florida (.969) have higher fielding percentages.

FIFTH THE PLACE TO BE
Delta State enters the weekend series at Henderson State ranked fifth as a team in batting (.318) and ERA (4.38).

SCORING IN DROVES
The Statesmen rank 26th in nation heading into the season finale averaging 7.6 points per game. Cameron University ranks No. 1 with 9.0 runs per game.

EXTRA, EXTRA INNINGS
It's hard to believe, but the Statesmen have played only one extra inning game this season through 44 games. DSU claimed a 2-1 win in game two of the series at Harding.

FUNNY MATH..ERRORS = WINS?
The Statesmen have proven the baseball gods wrong so far this season, as Delta State is 21-9 when committing one or more errors in a game. In fact, DSU is 11-6 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.

10'S THE LUCKY NUMBER
The Statesmen have always found a way to get on base and in the March 9 matchup with Mississippi Valley State, DSU collected 10 hit-by-pitches to establish a season high in the GSC.

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 (28-16) No. 6 in this week's South Region Poll.

TEAM W-L PTS PRV
1. West Florida (7) 40-5 70 1
2. North Alabama 34-10 59 3
3. Barry, Fla. 31-15 51 2
4. Tampa, Fla. 29-14 41 6
5. Nova Southeastern, Fla. 29-14 35 7
6. Delta State 28-16 32 8
7. Florida Southern 27-11 28 4
8. Harding, Ark. 36-10 27 5
9. Southern Arkansas 29-13 24 10
10. Benedict, S.C. 30-10 6 9