Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 TAMPA, Fla.— The Delta State University baseball team entered Sunday needing to win two games in order to advance to the South Region Championship on Monday. The Statesmen first had to get past the Sharks of Nova Southeastern, and they did just that 8-5. Next the Statesmen had to defeat a familiar foe in Alabama-Huntsville. The Statesmen used some extra inning magic, as they erased a two run deficit to defeat the Chargers 7-6 in 10 innings.

The Statesmen and Sharks battled through a slugfest in game one. The Sharks took an early 2-0 as the game entered the fourth inning.

The Statesmen offense cut into the deficit with a run in the top of the fourth. Michael Vinson singled to lead the inning off. Jon Carnahan followed with a single of his own, and the runners were able to advance to second and third due to a Nova error. Tyler Aldridge then brought Vinson home when he hit into a fielder's choice.

Down by a run, the Statesmen took the lead with a pair of runs in the sixth inning. Once again Vinson led the frame off with a base hit. Brent Kakwitch later brought Vinson home with a base hit through the left side. Carnahan later scored when Jonathan Andrews sent a sacrifice fly into right field.

The Sharks responded by retaking the lead with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Alex Marrero brought Javi Sujo around to score off a base hit into right field. Eric Acevedo then brought two runs home with a double down the left field line. The runs put the Sharks back out front 5-3.

The Statesmen wasted little time getting back into the game, as they jumped back out front with three runs in the seventh inning. Vinson sent a double down the right field line that brought Sam Kidd home. Carnahan then brought Ben Kingsley home with a base hit to left field. Kakwitch then brought Vinson home with a sacrifice fly for the third run in the inning.

Up by one, the Statesmen put the game away with a pair of runs in the ninth inning. Kakwitch brought home Aldridge for the first run of the inning off a single to center. Then Kidd was walked with the bases loaded, which allowed Kakwitch to score. The runs put the Statesmen for good at 8-5.

Jordan Moore started the game for the Statesmen, and did not receive a decision. Moore pitched 5.2 innings, gave up five runs on five hits, walked three, and struck out four. Jared Bond (1-0) pitched an inning of relief, and picked up the win. Bond did not allow a run in his inning of work. Brandon Hardin finished the last 2.1 innings for the Statesmen, and picked up his seventh save of the season.

Mike Gonzalez (5-2) suffered the loss for Nova. Gonzalez did not record an out in relief, and gave up two runs.

The day was not over for the Statesmen, as they took on Alabama-Huntsville in the losers bracket final, and both teams put on a classic.

After two scoreless innings, the Statesmen broke through for the first run of the game in the bottom of the third. Kakwitch led the inning off with a double down the left field line. Kakwitch was later able to score when Jordan Chovanec grounded out. The run gave the Statesmen the early 1-0 advantage.

Down 1-0 going into the sixth inning, the Chargers took the lead thanks to three runs. With the bases loaded, Mike Love cleared the bases with a triple to right center field, which gave Huntsville the 3-1 lead.

Once again the Statesmen fought off a deficit, as they tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. A base hit by Vinson brought home Kidd, and Kingsley scored when Aldridge hit into a fielder's choice.  The run tied the game up at three.

The game was still a 3-3 affair until the eighth inning when Huntsville broke the deadlock. Love brought home Justin Riddle with a base hit up the middle.

The Statesmen were down to their final three outs, as they entered the bottom of the ninth down by a run. With Brent Langston on base, Kakwitch doubled down the left field line to put runners on second and third for the Statesmen. Chad Fortenberry came in to pinch hit, and brought home Langston when a throw got away from the Chargers. The run tied the game at 4-4 heading into extra innings.

The Chargers took the lead in the tenth inning. Love sent another base hit up the middle that scored Riddle and Vincent Kortbawi. The runs put the Chargers ahead 6-4.

The Statesmen were once again down to their final three outs, and needed at least two runs. Kidd represented the first base runner for the Statesmen, as he was walked to start the bottom of the 10th. Kingsley then reached base on a single that put runners on first and second with no outs. Vinson followed with an RBI base hit that brought Kidd home and made it a 6-5 game. Then with the bases loaded and one out, Justin Badon sent a two run base hit down the left field line that scored Kingsley and Vinson, and gave the Statesmen the 7-6 victory.

Brandon Hardin (4-4) picked up the win for the Statesmen.

Drew Eiland (8-4) suffered the loss for the Chargers.

With the pair of wins, the Statesmen (44-13) move on the South Region final on Monday. The Statesmen will face the Tigers of Stillman, and will have to beat the Tigers twice if they want to win the South Region Championship. First pitch in the South Region Final is set for 12 p.m. EST, 11 a.m. CST, and you can listen live on the Statesmen Sports Network beginning at 10:45 a.m. CST