Box Score CLEVELAND – After dropping two games to Valdosta State on Saturday, the Delta State University baseball team went into Sunday's game against the Blazers in dire need of a win. The Statesmen offense came to life, as the squad picked up the much needed win by the final score of 10-5.

Starting pitcher Josh Branstetter set the tone for the Statesmen, as he struck out the side in the top of the first. The strikeouts were three of his career-high 13 that he had on the afternoon.

With the game still scoreless in the fourth inning, the Statesmen offense put the first runs on the board. Jon Carnahan got the inning going with a one-out base hit up the middle. With two outs, Michael Vinson reached base after being hit by a pitch, and Tyler Aldridge was walked which loaded the bases. Jonathan Andrews then sent a single into right field that scored Vinson and Carnahan for the first two runs of the game. Jordan Chovanec then sent a base hit up the middle, which brought Aldridge home and gave the Statesmen the 3-0 lead.

The Statesmen (17-7, 4-5 GSC) broke the game open in the fifth inning with six more runs. Ben Kingsley led off the inning with a base hit, and Carnahan followed with another single to right field. A wild pitch then brought Kingsley home. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Andrews sent another 2-RBI base hit that scored Vinson and Carnahan. With the bases loaded again, Sam Kidd hit into a ground out, but it was enough to score Aldridge. The runs were enough to chase Valdosta starter Pete Whittingslow from the game. Benjamin Weil came on in relief, and did not have much better luck. Brent Kakwitch roped a 2-RBI single into left field that scored Chovanec and Andrews. The runs put the Statesmen in complete control at 9-0.

Up 9-0, the Statesmen added their final run in the bottom of the sixth. Vinson and Andrews both hit back-to-back singles with two outs. Andrews then reached on an error, and Vinson was able to score on the play.

Down 10-0, the Valdosta State (15-9, 7-2 GSC) offense suddenly got going, as they plated five runs in the inning. Austin Lawrence led the inning off with a single to center field. Steven Groves then reached on an error by the Statesmen. Chaz Bagwell then singled to right field that loaded the bases. With the bases loaded, Bryant Hayman hit a 2-RBI double to left field that brought both Lawrence and Groves home. Buster Jackson then sent a 2-RBI base hit into center field, and both Hayman and Bagwell scored. Later in the inning, Ryan Noelte brought Jackson home with a single up the middle.

The runs in the inning made it a 10-5 game, but the Statesmen did not allow the Blazers to get any closer as they salvaged the final game of the series.

Branstetter (1-1) put a career performance on display, as he picked up his first win of the season. He pitched the full 9 innings, gave up five runs only three of which were earned. He also had the career-high 13 strikeouts, and did not walk a single batter.

Whittingslow (2-2) suffered the loss for the Blazers. Whittingslow pitched 4.2 innings, gave up nine runs with six being earned, walked three, and struck out three.

The Statesmen scored their 10 runs on 12 hits, and had four errors charged against them. The Blazers scored five runs on eight hits, and had three errors charged to them. Andrews went 2-for-4 from the plate with four RBIs for the Statesmen. Carnahan was 3-for-5 as well.

The Statesmen now hit the road, as they will face Southern Arkansas on Wednesday in Magnolia, Ark. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., and it will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network. The Statesmen will then travel to Pensacola, Fla. Next weekend to resume GSC play against West Florida.