Box Score VALDOSTA, Ga. – The No. 13 Delta State baseball team took the field Saturday afternoon with a chance to take down the No. 1 team in the country in the University of Tampa. The two teams put on a classic at Billy Grant Field in Valdosta, Ga., but in the end, The Spartans were able to squeak by the Statesmen 2-1 in 10 innings.

A pitcher's duel took place, as neither team scored through the first three innings of play. Tampa (11-0) then brought home the first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning. Jake Schrader reached base with a two out single to left field. Eric Grabe then scored Schrader with a two out triple to right field. The run gave the Spartans the 1-0 advantage.

The game stayed a 1-0 affair for most of the game, as both starting pitchers kept the opposing team off the scoreboard.

The Statesmen (7-1) came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth trailing 1-0, and needing a run to extend the game. Sam Kidd led the inning off with a base hit up the middle. Kidd then advanced to second when Brent Kakwitch laid down a sacrifice bunt. Ben Kingsley then tied the game when he doubled down the line in left field. The double scored Kidd, and tied the game up at 1-1.

Nine innings were not enough for a winner to be decided as extra innings were need with the score still 1-1.

Carlos Saade led the 10th inning off for Tampa with a base hit into left field. After advancing to second, Saade scored when Damon Elder hit a single into right field. The run put the Spartans up 2-1 heading into the bottom of the 10th inning.

Once again down to their final three outs, the Statesmen needed a run to extend the game. After the first two batters were retired, Marc McMillian came through for the Statesmen with a base hit.  Kidd then followed with his own base hit with two outs. However, the runners would be stranded on base, as the Spartans came away with the 2-1 victory.

Preston Packrall (3-0) came on in relief in the ninth inning, and he picked up the win. Packrall threw 1.2 innings, gave up two hits, and did not allow a run. Ben O'Shea started the game for Tampa and put forth an impressive performance. O'Shea pithed 8.1 innings, gave up one earned run on three hits, and struck out six. O'Shea did not allow a hit by the Statesmen until the seventh inning.

Statesmen starter Josh Branstetter also put together a great game. Branstetter pitched 9 innings, gave up one earned run, and allowed just three hits. He also walked two batters and struck out eight. Brandon Hardin (1-1) pitched the 10th inning, and suffered the loss for the Statesmen. Hardin gave up one run on two hits, and struck out two.

After suffering their first loss for the season, the Statesmen will look to rebound Sunday, as they take on Barry in the final day of the Holiday Inn Classic. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. est., 10 a.m. local time in Cleveland. You can listen to the game live on gostatesmen.com.