Box Score CLEVELAND – After splitting a Saturday double-header, the Delta State baseball team took the field looking for a decisive series win over the Abilene Christian Wildcats. The game was a closely decided contest, but the Statesmen were able to come through with a ninth inning run to come away with a 7-6 victory at Ferriss Field.

The offenses wasted little time in getting going, as Abilene Christian (12-9) took an early lead in the opening inning. Carlos Duarte reached first on an error by the Statesmen, and later scored on a base hit to right field by Rodge Macy. The run gave the Wildcats the early 1-0 lead.

The Statesmen (12-3, 2-1) did not let the deficit last for long, as they came back in the top of the first with three runs of their own to claim the lead. The Statesmen started out hot in the inning with four straight base hits, the first run of the game coming home on a base hit by Ben Kingsley. Jon Carnahan then hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Brent Kakwitch. The third run of the inning came when Kris Koerper hit into a fielder's choice. The runs allowed the Statesmen to take a two run lead at 3-1.

Up two, the Statesmen added to their lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. Jonathan Andrews led off the inning with a base hit, and was later brought home on a double by Kakwitch. Later in the inning Ben Kingsley hit into a 6-3 groundout, but it was enough to score Sam Kidd, and extend the Statesmen lead to 5-1.

The Wildcats wasted little time in getting back into the game with two runs of their own in the third inning. Kevin Finklea led off the inning with a base hit, and later scored on a base hit to left center by Travis Schuetze. Schuetze later scored on an error by Statesmen pitcher Josh Branstetter, and the run cut the Statesmen lead to 5-3.

Abilene made it four unanswered runs by scoring two more in the sixth inning, which tied the game up at 5-5. Reed Watson hit a two-run homer in the inning which knotted the game up five. The Wildcats then took the lead with another run in the seventh inning. Finklea led off the inning with a solo home run. The home run was enough to end Branstetter's day on the mound, as Ricky Winters came on in relief, and got the Statesmen out of the inning.

The Statesmen offense, which had been kept off the board since the second inning, came back to life in the eighth inning. Chad Fortenberry led the inning off with a double to left center field. Then with one out Kidd sent a base hit into left center field that scored Morris Grant for the game tying run. Grant came in to the game to pinch run for Fortenberry.

After a 1-2-3 top of the ninth, the Statesmen came to plate with a chance to win the game. Jordan Chovanec led off the ninth by legging out an infield single. After Chovanec stole second, Justin Badon came through with a game winning double into right field. The extra base hit scored Chovanec, and let the Statesmen come away with a 7-6 win.

Winters (1-0) picked up his first victory of the season for the Statesmen. Winters, who came on in relief of Branstetter, pitched 3 innings, did not allow a hit, walked just one, and struck out five of the 10 batters he faced. Branstetter started the game and pitched 6 innings, gave up six runs with four being earned, and struck out five.

Josh Stone (3-2) suffered the loss for the Wildcats. Stone pitched 1.1 innings, gave up two earned runs on five hits, and struck out two.

The Statesmen, who took two-of-three from the Wildcats this weekend, will be back in action this upcoming Tuesday as they will host Lake Erie College in a pair of mid-week games. Tuesday's game is set for 6:30 p.m., and will be available on the Statesmen Sports Network beginning at 6:15 p.m.