Box Score CLEVELAND – The Delta State University Statesmen (22-11, 9-1 GSC) completed the three game sweep of the Christian Brothers University Buccaneers (14-15-1, 0-9-1 GSC) on Sunday with a 16-6 run-rule victory at Ferriss Field. Aaron Newcomb struck out nine Bucs en route to the win, while eight Statesmen collected at least one RBI in the win.

The Statesmen finally scratched the scoreboard in the bottom of he third, as Cameron Robulak deposited Lee Paine's fastball over the right field wall with Kellen Bozeman, who singled with two outs in the inning, on base for the 2-0 DSU lead.

Delta State exploded for six runs on five hits in the fourth to take full command of the game. Patrick Taylor's two-RBI double and Justin Badon's two-run home run to left provided the spark for the Statesmen. The six runs chased CBU starter Lee Paine from the contest.

Rob Maxwell finally got to DSU starter Aaron Newcomb in the sixth. The junior from Jackson, Tenn., connected on his second home run of the season, a two-run shot over the left field wall.

DSU extended its lead back to seven runs, 9-2, in the bottom of the sixth, as Michael Vinson drove in Bozeman with an RBI single to center.

The Buccaneers used the long ball again in the top of the seventh to make it a 9-5 game on Brent Goode's three-run home run over the left field deck.

The Statesmen answered right back in the bottom of the seventh with three runs to go back up 12-5. Hermann started the inning with a double down the left field line. Will McGinnis pinch-hit for Badon and delivered a two-run home run to right. Niemann made it back-to-back home runs with a titanic shot straight down the right field line. All three runs came off Bucs reliever Jake Garbusinski.

CBU scratched out another run in the eighth, plating Maxwell on David Allen Wright's RBI single to left.

The Statesmen came back in the bottom of the eighth to claim the run-rule victory with four runs on five hits. McGinnis, Niemann, Even and Bozeman all delivered RBIs to clinch the series sweep 16-6.

Newcomb (5-4) pitched seven innings to pick up the win for the Statesmen. The junior from Centralia, Ill., allowed five runs on 10 hits with nine strikeouts and no walks. Brent Hallmark worked the eighth, surrendering a run on two hits.

Paine (2-3) was saddled with the loss after giving up seven earned runs on eight hits. Garbusinski and Porwoll pitched the final four innings for the Buccaneers in relief.

Bozeman paced the Statesmen at the plate with a 4 for 6 afternoon, including a pair of doubles. The senior from Baton Rouge, La., scored two runs and drove in the game clincher with a double in the eighth.

Robulak and McGinnis led DSU with three RBIs each while Niemann, Taylor and Badon all had two RBIs apiece.

The Statesmen continue their 11-game home stand on Tuesday, as Delta State welcomes the Crusaders of William Carey University to Cleveland. 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.”