Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MEMPHIS, Tenn.— The Delta State University baseball team hit the road Saturday for their final conference road series of the season, as they took on Christian Brothers University at Bucs Field in a Saturday doubleheader. The Statesmen used the long ball to their advantage in game won, as they won 9-3. The Statesmen followed game one, by shutting out CBU in game two 4-0 for the Saturday sweep.

The Statesmen brought the bats out in the top of the first inning, as they took a 5-0 lead behind three home runs. Jordan Chovanec led the game off with a solo home run to right center field. Michael Vinson followed with a two run homer with Sam Kidd on base. Ben Kingsley added the inning's third home run with a two run shot with Jon Carnahan on first. The homers put the Statesmen up 5-0 early.

Down 5-0, Christian Brothers came back with two runs in the fourth inning. Alan Wright scored Josh Hopkins with a base hit to left center field. Charles Kelly then brought Braden Keathley home with a sacrifice fly to right field. The runs cut the Statesmen lead to 5-2.

The Bucs again chipped away at the Statesmen's lead with another run in the fifth inning. Josh Hopkins brought home Jimmy Franklin with a base hit into left center field. The run made it a 5-3 game.

With their lead to just two runs, The Statesmen got back on the board in the seventh. With Kidd on base, Vinson crushed his second two- run home run of the game. The runs put the Statesmen up 7-3. Brent Langston added two more runs to the total in the eighth with a double to left field that scored Tyler Aldridge and Brent Kakwitch. The runs put the Statesmen up for good 9-3.

Aaron Newcomb (7-2) pitched his way to his seventh win of the season. Newcomb threw 7 innings, allowed three runs on four hits, walked three, and struck out seven. James Hudelson pitched the final two innings, and struck out three in the ninth to close the game.

Mac Cooley (0-2) suffered the loss for CBU. Cooley pitched 7 innings, gave up seven runs on seven hits, walked four, and struck out five.

Game two featured a match-up between CBU's Alex Sikes, and the Statesmen's Colton Mitchell. In the end it was Mitchell who came away with a win, as the Statesmen were able to get the 4-0 victory.

The game was closely contested, and remained scoreless until the Statesmen broke the deadlock in the fifth inning. Tyler Aldridge sent a single in to right field, and was able to advance all the way to third on an error by the right fielder. Chovanec then scored Aldridge on a bunt single down the third base line. The run gave the Statesmen the 1-0 lead.

Up 1-0, the Statesmen put the game away with three runs in the top of the sixth inning. With two men on base, Kakwitch laced a double that scored Justin Badon. A passed ball then allowed Kingsley to score from third. Langston then sent a sac-fly into center that allowed Kakwitch to score. The three runs allowed the Statesmen to gain the 4-0, and close out the game.

A week removed from his perfect game, Mitchell was once again solid on the mound for the Statesmen. Mitchell (6-0) tossed seven shutout innings, allowed just two hits, walked three, and struck out seven.  Mitchell has now thrown 14 straight scoreless innings.

Alex Sikes (4-5) suffered the loss for the Bucs. Sikes pitched 6 innings, gave up four runs with three being earned on seven hits, walked four, and struck out four in the loss.

The Statesmen (29-11, 13-7 GSC) and Christian Brothers (11-30, 3-17 GSC) will close out their series on Sunday, with a 1 p.m. first pitch with airtime on the Statesmen Sports Network set for 12:45 p.m.