CARY, N.C. - The Delta State University Statesmen (49-14) are making their fourth NCAA Division II National Championship Game appearance Saturday, June 2 versus the West Chester University Rams (45-10) at Coleman Field in Cary, N.C.  It's the first ever meeting between the two schools on the diamond and WCU's first ever appearance in the title game. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. EST/6 p.m. CST at Coleman Field.

The Statesmen, who claimed the 2004 NCAA DII title with a 12-8 victory over Grand Valley State, have finished twice previously in the NCAA College World Series.  The 1968 Statesmen finished second to Chapman University after falling 11-0 in the title tilt, while the 1978 Statesmen claimed second place after a 7-2 defeat to Florida Southern in the championship clash.

Saturday's game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 6:30 p.m. EST/5:30 p.m. CST with the DSU Alumni Association Statesmen Game Day Report.  Matt Jones will have the call.  NCAA.com will also offer a webcast of the contest, but there will not be any network television coverage of the championship.  

Statesmen Sports Network Broadcast Link        NCAA.com Webcast Link

IMPROBABLE COMEBACK PUTS DSU IN TITLE CLASH
Call them the “Elimination Kids,” as the Statesmen (49-14) of Delta State University claimed their ninth elimination victory of the postseason with a 6-5 comeback win over the Mavericks (51-12) of Minnesota State University-Mankato Friday, June 1 to advance to Saturday's NCAA DII Championship Game. 

The Statesmen scored six unanswered runs and finished the contest with nine hits and an error.  The Mavericks scored their five runs on 12 hits with an error.  Michael Vinson's RBI single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth capped the comeback.

ALDRIDGE PACING ALL HITTERS AT CWS
Junior second baseman Tyler Aldridge has been the leader at the plate for the Statesmen in the NCAA DII CWS at Cary, N.C.  The Steens, Miss., native is batting .571 after going 8-for-14 at the plate.  The East Mississippi CC transfer, who was 3-for-4 versus Minnesota State Friday, has collected a double, triple and four RBIs in four games, while driving in the tying runs with a two RBI single to right in DSU's 6-5 win over Minnesota State on Friday.  

REDEMPTION FOR VINSON
After hitting into a controversial double play to end DSU's eighth inning threat in Thursday's 1-0 loss to Minnesota State, junior All-American Michael Vinson claimed a level of redemption with his game-winning RBI single to left in the bottom of the ninth on Friday in DSU's 6-5 win.  Vinson went 1-for-4 on the afternoon with two RBIs, including a sac-fly RBI in the eighth.

The Southaven, Miss., native has led the Statesmen all postseason with 17 RBIs.  Vinson is batting .353, going 24-for-68 at the plate in the postseason, with three doubles, one home run and 11 runs scored.

SCORING MACHINE
Redshirt sophomore centerfielder Jordan Chovanec has scored 17 runs in the postseason, while leading the Statesmen in batting with a .378 average.  The Inez, Texas native is 28-for-74 at the plate with three doubles, a triple, five RBIs and nine stolen bases.  He is 5-for-15 at the College World Series and has stolen a CWS-high four stolen bases. 

STATESMEN BULLPEN COMES THROUGH IN CLUTCH
The Delta State University bullpen has been outstanding this season and even better in the postseason.  The group is 5-0 since postseason play began with a 2.62 ERA.  Led by Brandon Hardin, who is 2-0 with four saves and a 0.84 ERA, the group has made 21 appearances with opposing batters hitting just .206 against them.

20-HIT CLUB
The Statesmen offense has produced five hitters in the 20-hit club and three within striking distance of joining the elite group.  Led by Jordan Chovanec's 28 hits, Tyler Aldridge (25), Michael Vinson (24), Sam Kidd (23) and Ben Kingsley (23) have all topped the 20 hit plateau.  Jon Carnahan (19), Brent Kakwitch (18) and Brent Langston (16) all have a chance to join the group.

STATESMEN PITCHERS CONTINUE TO LEAD THE WAY FOR DSU
The DSU pitching staff has been outstanding this year and even better in postseason play.  In 17 games, the Statesmen are 14-3 with a 3.04 ERA and 125 Ks. Opponents are batting a mere .231.

ELIMINATION KIDS
While the NCAA DII National Championship is not officially an elimination game, there is no tomorrow for the two teams involved.  The Statesmen have been outstanding in elimination games this season, posting an amazing 9-0 record.  DSU pushed itself to the brink of elimination on Friday before roaring back for a 6-5 win over Minnesota State.  The nine elimination game victories are broken down below. 

DATE - OPPONENT - FINAL SCORE
5.7.2012     West Florida (GSC) W, 7-4
5.8.2012     North Alabama (GSC) W, 4-0
5.8.2012     Alabama-Huntsville (GSC Championship) W, 14-8
5.19.2012   West Florida (NCAA SR) W, 11-3
5.20.2012   Nova Southeastern (NCAA SR) W, 8-5
5.20.2012   Alabama-Huntsville (NCAA SR) W, 7-6
5.21.2012   Stillman (NCAA SR) W, 5-2
5.21.2012   Stillman (NCAA SR Championship) W, 10-7
6.1.2012     Minnesota State (NCAA CWS) W, 6-5

WEST CHESTER PLAYER TO WATCH: JOE WENDLE, 2B
Golden Rams second baseman Joe Wendle is the West Chester player to watch on Saturday.  The  Rawlings/ABCA All-American is batting .395 with 18 doubles, nine triples, 12 home runs and 59 RBIs.  He has also swiped 12-of-13 bases and is fielding at a .966 clip. 

DELTA STATE PLAYER TO WATCH: JON CARNAHAN, C
Statesmen senior catcher Jon Carnahan is the player to watch for Delta State.  The Rawlings/ABCA All-American is batting .330 this year with 17 doubles, four home runs and 48 RBIs.  He is hitting .292 in the postseason with six doubles and 13 RBIs. 

THE SERIES: DELTA STATE vs. WEST CHESTER
Saturday's matchup marks the first ever meeting between the two schools in baseball, but Delta State has a great level of success against the state of Pennsylvania in NCAA and postseason championship play.  In 2000, the Statesman football team defeated Bloomsburg (Pa.) 63-36 for the DII championship, and the Lady Statesmen basketball team defeated Immaculata (Pa.) for the 1975 title 90-81 and again in 1976 (69-64) for back-to-back championships.

CAN LIGHTNING STRIKE AGAIN?
When the Statesmen claimed the 2004 NCAA championship,   DSU trailed Central Missouri by five runs before rallying for a 10-9 elimination game win.  The victory put the Statesmen into the title game against an undefeated Grand Valley State team.  The Green-and-White defeated the Lakers 12-8 the next day for the national title.