Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CLEVELAND – The Ouachita Baptist University Tigers (16-20, 5-6 GSC) made it a Saturday sweep at Ferriss Field, taking games one and two of the series 9-8 and 2-1 over the Delta State University Statesmen (23-14, 8-3 GSC).

The victories mark the second straight year OBU has won the series with DSU at Ferriss Field. The losses drop the Statesmen out of first place and into third in Gulf South Conference West Division.

The two games were mere images of one another, as the Statesmen and Tigers battled to the final strike.

Brock Green's RBI single to left scored Kyle Zimmerman, who tripled to center, putting OBU up 1-0 in the first.

In the first at-bat of the game for DSU, Michael Niemann deposited a full count fastball over the right field fence to tie the game at 1-1. It was the fifth home run of the season for the senior from Yelm, Wash., and his fourth in the last eight games.

DSU claimed the lead in the second on Craig Herman's RBI single to left, plating Patrick Taylor from second.

The Statesmen extended the lead to 3-1 off OBU;s Ryan Westover in the third, as Cameron Robulak roped an RBI single to right.

The Tigers exploded for four runs in the fifth to reclaim the lead 5-3. Landon Flax and Brett Mazmanian delivered RBI singles, while Kyle Zimmerman's two-RBI double proved to be the big hit.

Niemann singlehandedly made it 5-4 in the bottom of the fifth. The senior singled to right on the first pitch in the inning. He quickly swiped second and third. On Tom Ward's throw down to third, the ball got away from Flax, allowing Niemann to walk home.

Sam McGill's solo home run to left put the Tigers back up 6-4 in the sixth off DSU starter Josh Branstetter.

Delta State battled back in the sixth, scoring three runs on three hits. OBU obliged with three errors, but an RBI double by Will McGinnis and a throwing error by OBU first baseman kept the Statesmen alive in the inning.

OBU came right back in the seventh, as Green drove in his second and third runs on a two-run home run to right center. While Brasnstetter finished the inning, it would be his last, as OBU led 8-7.

In the bottom of the seventh, Herman came through again for the Statesmen, lacing an RBI single to left. The hit scored Taylor from second, who singled to start the frame and advanced to second on Even's fielder's choice.

Landon Flax struck again in the eighth off Statesman reliever Rickey Winters, knocking a single back up the box for the 9-8 lead.

After DSU went in order in the bottom of the inning, OBU loaded the bases with one out. After Tim Maloney came on to pitch, the crafty left-hander coaxed a fly out by Green, but hit Ward with a pitch. Kinnison quickly brought Brent Hallmark in, who got Justin Hall to pop out to Taylor in foul territory. The senior threw down to third, doubling off Mazmanian to end the threat.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Statesmen were able to get two on without a hit, but couldn't get the ball out of the infield off OBU closer Zac Treece (3). The righty got Michael Niemann to ground into a force at second to end the game.

The Tigers finished the game with nine runs on 10 hits with six errors, while the Statesmen plated eight runs on 13 hits with two errors.

Kurt Peppenhorst (1-0) won the game in relief. The left-hander threw 2.2 innings allowing one run on two hits. Treece recorded his third save working the ninth.

Winters (1-1) earned the hard-luck loss. The sophomore gave up one run on one hit in one inning of work. Branstetter pitched 7.0 innings, giving up eight runs, four earned, on nine hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

Tim Maloney (0.2) and Brent Hallmark (0.1) also worked in relief.

Herman led the Statesmen at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a run scored and two RBIs. Niemann was 2 for 6 with two runs scored and one RBI.

In game two, the Tigers finally got on the board with back-to-back doubles by Brock Green and Tom Ward to take a 1-0 lead in the fourth off Statesmen starter Aaron Newcomb.

Delta State finally got to Tigers starter Kolby Moore in the bottom of the fifth. After back-to-back singles from Brent Kakwitch and Patrick Strack, Jon Carnahan grounded into a double play, pushing Kakwitch to third. Will McGinnis followed with an RBI single to left center, tying the game at 1-1.

After a scoreless sixth, OBU touched up Newcomb for the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh. Keeghan Ghidotti legged out an infield single with one out. Two batters later, Sam McGill roped an RBI double to left center to put the Tigers back up 2-1.

DSU had a chance in the seventh, but couldn't get the hit it needed with runners at second and third. Junior shortstop Craig Herrmann struck out to end the game and give the Tigers the series with the 2-1 win.

Moore (7-4) pitched the complete game to earn the win. The Indianola, Iowa native allowed one run on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks.

Newcomb took the loss, falling to 5-5. The junior from Centralia, Ill., threw all seven innings, giving up just two runs on two hits in the loss.

Kakwitch led the Statesmen at the plate in game two, going 2 for 3 with a run scored. McGinnis finished 1 for 3 with an RBI as well.

OBU had six players record one hit each with Ward and McGill collecting RBIs.

The Statesmen and Tigers ill conclude the series on Sunday. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at Ferriss Field in the third game of the series.