Box Score CLEVELAND—The Delta State Statesmen (23-12) and the No. 22 Southern Arkansas Muleriders (21-11) tied with 15 hits in Wednesday night's game at Ferris field, but SAU found a way to beat the relentless Statesmen on their home turf 12-8.

Southern Arkansas quickly got on the board; with two outs in the top of the first inning, Chris Harrison reached on an infield error, scoring Trey Buck from third.

The Statesmen answered right back, however, putting up two runs of their own in the bottom of the first. Michael Niemann, who started the inning with a standup double to right field, scored off of a Will McGinnis double to left.

With two outs in the first, Michael Vinson hit an infield single, scoring McGinnis from third.

In the top of the second inning, the Muleriders responded with a pounding of the ball. Five runs were scored off of five hits by SAU. B

Back-to-back singles started the inning, setting up Pat Johnson to score from Adam Boucher's sac fly. Trey Buck then drilled a double to left, scoring David Allday from third.

With two outs, Logan Williams continued to move the runners over with a standup double down the left field line. Trey Buck scored off of Williams hit. In the same play, G. McCauley scored off of a throwing error. Brandon Choate followed up Williams double with the same— a double down the left field line— scoring Williams from third.

The bleeding was finally stopped by starting pitcher David Mooney, who struck out Chris Harrison to end the inning.

The five runs went unanswered by the Statesmen in the bottom of the third as the Muleriders defense put them out three-up-three-down.

Both clubs put a defensive stance in the third, resulting in a scoreless inning.

But, Southern Arkansas put up two more runs in the fourth. Trey Buck scored off of a Logan Williams Triple to right center followed by Buck Choate's single to left, which scored Williams from third.

Being down four runs, the Statesmen didn't let their heads drop for a minute. In the bottom of the fourth, Anthony Even hit a two RBI homerun scorcher passed the fans in left field. The hitting spark then transitioned over to Michael Niemann who also pounded out a two RBI homerun over the right field wall.

Now within two runs of the Muleriders (8-6), Brandon Hardin shut down SAU not allowing them to get a hit in the fifth.

With complete composure, the Statesmen offense continued to chip away at the Muleriders defense. Kellen Bozeman started the inning off with a single to center. After advancing to third on a Doug Shields wild pitch, Bozeman scored off Michael Vinson's single to right, getting the green-and-white within one run of the tie (8-7).

Unfortunately for the Statesmen, SAU put up three more runs in the top of the six. Logan Williams hit a homerun single off of Brandon Hardin. Pat Johnson then doubled to right center, scoring Trey Buck and Chris Harrison before the inning would come to a close.

With two outs and bases loaded in the top of the seventh, Garrett Pickens threw a wild pitch allowing each runner to advance, adding another run to board for SAU. However, Pickens bounced right back and struck out Chris Harrison to end the inning.

In the bottom of the eight, Michael Niemann hit an RBI single to center, scoring Craig Hermann and getting the Statesmen within four runs of the Muleriders (12-8).

The Statesmen were unable to score in the bottom of the ninth after having the bases loaded.

David Mooney (1-1) picked up his first loss of the season. The senior left-hander gave up seven runs on eight hits in his 3.1 innings pitched. He had two strikeouts.

Doug Shields (3-1) got his third win of the season. In his 7.2 innings pitched, Shields gave up 8 runs on 12 hits. He struck out five Statesmen.

Trey Buck scored four runs off of four hits for the Muleriders. He had one RBI.

Logan Williams had four RBI's.

Michael Niemann scored two runs on three hits for the Statesmen. He also and three RBI's.

Michael Vinson and Anthony Even both had two RBI's.

The Ouachita Baptist Tigers (14-20) will arrive in Cleveland Saturday, April 8 for a conference matchup against the Statesmen. First pitch is set for 3:00 P.M. Matt Jones will have the call starting at 2:45 on the Statesmen Sports Network.