Box Score MILLINGTON, Tenn. – The Delta State University Statesmen baseball team went from elation Saturday to heartbreak Sunday, as the green-and-white saw its run in the Gulf South Conference Tournament come to an end with a 2-0 loss to the top-ranked University of West Florida Argonauts at USA Stadium on Greg Pron's ninth home run of the year in the first inning off David Mooney. The loss eliminated the Statesmen (30-19) while the Argonauts (44-7) advance to face either Arkansas Tech or Harding in an elimination game on Monday.

The game sadly hinged on a hanging change-up in the first inning that Pron deposited over the left field wall after Leo Lamarche reached on a one out single to left. The home run proved to be the only major mistake made by the Statesman pitching staff all day, but the green-and-white offense could never get to West Florida starter Daniel Vargas-Vila, who threw 7.1 shutout innings allowing three hits with a pair of walks and a two strikeouts in the win.

Vargas-Vila (12-1) allowed only two runners past second base all day. While he didn't record a large number of strikeouts, Vargas-Vila kept the Statesmen off balance at the plate while stranding eight DSU base runners.

DSU threatened in the first and third innings, but did not record a hit after the third frame.

UWF loaded the bases with no one out in the sixth, but DSU reliever Brandon Hardin retired three straight Argonauts to end the threat and give the Statesmen a shot.

Vargas-Vila gave way to the bullpen in the eighth after a one out hit-by-pitch to Kellen Bozeman. Jordan Rasinski struck out Michael Vinson looking and coaxed a foul territory pop out from Brent Kakwitch to end the potential uprising.

After Hardin retired the Argonauts in order in the top of the ninth, UWF brought in closer Shane Waller from the pen and the GSC's leader in saves struck out the side to end the game. It was Waller's 12th save of the year.

David Mooney (2-3) was the hard-luck loser for the Statesmen after tossing 5.0 innings of work. The senior from Clinton allowed the two runs on nine hits, including six infield hits and one strikeout.

Hardin was lights out of the pen for the Statesmen; setting down all 12 batters he faced in 4.0 innings of relief.

Michael Niemann, who closed his four-year career with 260 career hits to rank sixth all-time in school history, Patrick Taylor and Vinson all recorded singles for the Statesmen in the loss.

Eric Kroll led all hitters with three for the Argonauts, but it was Pron's two-run home run that chased the Statesmen from the GSC Tournament.

The Statesmen entered the GSC Tournament ranked seventh in the NCAA South Region Poll, but this weekend's results put that standing in jeopardy. The NCAA will release South Region Tournament field a week from today. Wednesday's poll will give the Statesmen a good idea of their chances at making postseason play. GoStatesmen.com will have the official rankings release as soon as it becomes available.