Box Score MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Delta State University baseball team hit the road Wednesday for an important region game against former conference foe Southern Arkansas. The game was tight throughout, however the MuleRiders were able to escape with a 4-3 victory in 12 innings.

The Statesmen (17-8, 4-5 GSC) started the game strong by scoring the game's first run in the top of the second inning. Michael Vinson led the inning off with a base hit through the left side. Brent Langston followed with a base hit into right center field. Then with one out, Jonathan Andrews brought Vinson home with a sacrifice fly to center field.

The offense returned for the Statesmen in the third inning when they brought home two more runs. Jordan Chovanec led the inning off with a base hit, and Jon Carnahan added a one-out base hit of his own. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Brent Langston brought two runners home with a double to left-center. The extra-base hit extended the Statesmen lead to 3-0.

The Statesmen held their 3-0 lead until the sixth inning when the Southern Arkansas offense got going. Gavin McCauley led the inning off with a bunt single. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, McCauley was able to score when Ryan Bell was walked. Rafael Thomas was then able to score when Ryan Dardenne was hit by a pitch. The runs made it a 3-2 ballgame.

The Mule Riders (19-10, 8-4 GAC) struck again in the seventh inning when they tied the game at three. Trey Buck led the seventh off with single. Then with two outs, David Allday sent a single through the left side, and Bick came in to tie the game.

The game remained tied at three as the teams went into extra innings, and it remained knotted up until the bottom of the 12th. Trevor Rogers led the bottom of the 12th off with a base hit up the middle. After a balk, and a sacrifice-bunt, Rogers found himself on third with one out. Jody Spain then brought the winning run home with a sacrifice fly to center field, as the MuleRiders came away with the 4-3 win.

Ricky Winters started the game for the Statesmen, and threw five shutout innings but had to settle for a no decision. Winters allowed just three hits, walked one, and struck out four. Brandon Hardin (1-4) was the fifth pitcher used by the Statesmen, and suffered the hard-luck loss. Hardin gave up two hits over 4.1 innings before surrendering the winning run.

Justin Thomas (2-2) came out of the bullpen, and picked up the win. Thomas pitched 3.2 innings, and allowed just one hit.
The Statesmen will look to rebound this weekend, as they continue Gulf South play by traveling to West Florida. The series with the defending national champions gets underway with a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. local Cleveland time. You can catch the action live on the Statesmen Sports Network beginning at 1:45 p.m.