Box Score ROME, Ga.—The Delta State University baseball team had a chance to guarantee entrance into the Gulf South Conference championship game, as they took on the University of Alabama in Huntsville Sunday. Unfortunately, the Statesmen did not punch their ticket, as the Chargers were able to survive and come away with an 8-4 victory at State Mutual Stadium.

The Chargers (31-20) offense got going with the first run of the game in the bottom of the opening inning. With one out, Ty Chancelor hit a solo home run over the wall in left field.

Up 1-0, the Chargers added to their lead with two runs in the third inning. Chancelor brought home a run with base hit to center field. Grant DeBruin followed with a sacrifice fly to center field that brought home Justin Pearson.

In a three run hole, the Statesmen started the comeback with a run in the fourth inning. With two outs, Jon Carnahan doubled down the left field line. Michael Vinson then brought Carnahan around to score with a base hit to right field.

The Statesmen (37-12) offense then used three runs in the fifth inning to gain the lead. With the bases loaded, Ben Kingsley one hopped the ball over the wall in right center for a two-run ground rule double. A throwing error then allowed Jordan Chovanec to score, which put the Statesmen up 5-3.

After the Statesmen's big inning, Mother Nature reared her head, as lightning in the area caused a 40-minute delay.

When play resumed, it was the Chargers the gained the momentum, as they scored five answered runs over the next three innings. The Statesmen offense could not get anything going after the delay, and the Chargers came away with the 8-4 win.

The Statesmen's four runs came on eight hits, and the Chargers' eight runs came on 13 hits. Vinson led the Statesmen offense going 3-for4 with an RBI. Huntsville's Chancelor went 4-for-4 with three RBIs.

Aaron Newcomb (8-3) started the game for the Statesmen and suffered the loss. Newcomb pitched 6.2 innings, gave up six runs on nine hits, walked one, and struck out three. Jared Bond pitched the final 1.1 innings, gave up two runs on four hits, and struck out one.

David Kendrick (6-2) picked up the win for the Chargers. Kendrick threw 8 innings, gave up four runs with three being earned, walked two, and struck out two. Cody Barrett pitched the final inning, and struck out one.

With the loss, the Statesmen now find themselves in an elimination game Monday.  The Statesmen will take on West Florida at 11 a.m. eastern, 10 a.m. central. The winner will move on to face Huntsville in the GSC Championship Tuesday. Airtime on the Statesmen Sports Network Monday is set for 9:45 a.m. central time.