Box Score TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 7 ranked Statesmen (42-13) of Delta State University pounded out 16 hits en route to an 11-3 victory over the Argonauts (35-19) of the University of West Florida on Saturday, May 18 in an elimination game at the NCAA South Region Tournament.  The Statesmen scored 11 runs on 16 hits with one error, while the Argonauts scored three runs on six hits with three errors.

DSU kept their hopes alive of claiming a second straight championship in as many weeks through the Loser's Bracket.  The Statesmen accomplished the feat one-week ago in the Gulf South Conference Tournament.

The Statesmen struck first in their first plate appearance versus UWF starter Jake Stephens. Jordan Chovanec singled to right and Sam Kidd followed that up with a two-run home run over the right field wall to put DSU up 2-0.  After Ben Kingsley singled to right-center and swiped second, Michael Vinson doubled to right-center to make it a 3-0 Statesmen lead.  Stephens bristled and was able to retire Tyler Aldridge and Brent Langston to quell the threat.

DSU threatened again the second with three straight singles with one out by Andrews, Chovanec and Kidd to chase UWF starter Stephens from the game.  Argos reliever Scott Laughlin got Kingsley to ground into a double play to end the inning.

UWF fought back in the top of the second to tie it up at 3-3, as Leo Marche connected on an RBI single and Taye Larry drilled a two-RBI double to left both off Statesmen starter Aaron Newcomb.

The tie didn't last long, as the Statesmen exploded for four runs on three hits to take the lead back 7-3 in the third.  After loading the bases, thanks in part to a Lemarche error at second, Brent Kakwitch drilled a two-RBI double to right-center scoring Vinson and Aldridge.  An error by the third baseman Josh Huggins allowed Brent Langston, who reached on a walk, to come around to score on the throw back to the infield.  Jonathon Andrews would cap the inning with an RBI single to center, scoring Kakwitch.

DSU tacked on a run in the fifth, as Langston scored on a wild pitch, his second run of the game.  The Statesmen first baseman opened the frame with a double down the left field and moved into scoring position on a single by Kakwitch.     

After a scoreless sixth, UWF loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh forcing Newcomb from the game.  DSU reliever James Hudleson quickly coaxed a double play off the bat of Andrew Rodriquez to end the Argos potential big inning.

The Statesmen tacked on three runs in the bottom of the seventh to extend the lead to 11-3.  Kakwitch came through with his second RBI double of the day and Andrews delivered his second RBI single to center.  The third run of the inning came in to score after a Chovanec single to right, UWF right fielder Dustin Saulmon sailed a through to second that allowed Andrews to come in from second.

DSU's Hudleson worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning with back-to-back strikeouts and Cullen Babin came on to close the door on the Argos in the ninth with a pair of strikeouts.

Newcomb (9-3) earned the victory after tossing 6.1 innings.  The Centralia, Ill., native allowed three runs on five hits in the game with five walks and two strikeouts.  Hudleson tossed 1.2 scoreless innings and Babin 1.0 innings.

West Florida's Scott Laughlin (1-1) took the loss in relief after giving up five runs on five hits.  In all, five Argos pitchers worked in the game, including Ben Bridges (2.1), Jordan DeLorenzo (0.1) and Brian Ellington (1.0).  Argos starter Jake Stephens pitched 1.1 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits.

Kakwitch paced the Statesmen at the plate with a 3-for-4 day, including two doubles and three RBIs.  Andrews finished the day 3-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and Kidd went 2-for-5 with a run scored and two RBIs.  Vinson was 2-for-4 with an RBI as well.

Lemarche led UWF with three hits and an RBI, while Larry was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

DSU advances to face Nova Southeastern, who eliminated Lynn 8-4 on Saturday, at noon EST/11 a.m. CST in an elimination game on Sunday, May 19. The game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting 15 minutes prior with the DSU Alumni Association Statesmen Game Day Report.  Matt Jones will have the call.