Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – In the driver's seat, needing a sweep of Henderson State to guarantee top seeding in the Gulf South Conference tournament next week, as well as aiding their NCAA South Region ranking, the Statesmen got off to a sputtering start. Delta State would drop the opening game 5-4 to the Reddies but bounce back in game two to secure a doubleheader split with a 4-1 win.

The Reddies would get a hold of Josh Branstetter in the first inning, jumping out to a 3-1 lead, one they would never relinquish. Coach Kinnison's Statesmen left 15 runners on base, a season high and a stat that upset coach after the game.

"Repeatedly we had guys come up with runners in scoring position and a chance to break it open, we just didn't get it done and paid for it," Kinnison said.

Branstetter took the loss in game one (7-2) but junior Aaron Newcomb grabbed the win in game two (7-6).

Offensively, shortstop Craig Hermann was never retired by the Reddies, going two-for-two with a two walks in game one. In the second contest, Hermann registered an RBI in route to going two-for-two with a walk and a hit by pitch.

Forced to scoreboard watch, the Statesmen will hope for a win from Arkansas Tech after Harding powered past ATU, 8-6 in game one and held a 6-2 lead in the game two after five innings.

A game three win from ATU and a game three Statesmen win would leave the Statesmen and Harding tied for the GSC West's top spot with DSU owning the tie breaker. Southern Arkansas's wins over UAM also throw a wrench in the equation and with rain in the forecast, game threes across the area are in question, which further muddys the picture.

Game three will be moved up to a noon start on Sunday. The broadcast will start at 11:45 AM with the Shelter Insurance Statesmen Dugout Report from Berry Field in Arkadelphia, Ark. Jimmy Smith and Coby Rich will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network.