Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Cleveland – After a Friday victory, the No. 1 Delta State University baseball team took the field on Saturday for a double header against the No. 16 Sharks of Nova Southeastern. Just like Friday, the offense continued for the Statesmen as they took both games from the Sharks 15-4, and 8-3 to earn the three-game sweep at Ferriss Field.

The Statesmen (6-0) took the lead in game one in the bottom of the first inning. With two men on base, Michael Vinson hit his first home run of the season. The shot gave the Statesmen an early 3-0 lead.

The Statesmen added another run in the second inning, and four more in the third. Sam Kidd brought Jordan Chovanec home in the second with a base hit right field. Kidd's big day was just getting started as he added two more RBIs in the third inning with a single into right-center field.

The Sharks (6-4) were kept off the board as the Statesmen continued to break away with five runs in the fifth inning. Carlos Leal, Brent Langston, Tyler Aldridge, and Jami Rachal all picked up RBs in the fifth inning as the Statesmen took a 13-0 lead.

Nova picked up their first runs of the game in the top of the seventh inning. Anthony Angulo brought home the first run of the game for the Sharks, and Brooks Flemming followed with a 2-RBI single to make it a 13-3 ball game.

The Statesmen offense came right back and answered the Sharks with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Ricky Velez was able to score both Morris Grant and Austin McClain thanks in part to an error by the Sharks. Nova was able to plate one more run in the top of the ninth, however that is as close as they would get, as the Statesmen came away with the 15-4 victory.

Josh Branstetter (1-0) picked up the win for the Statesmen. Branstetter pitched six shutout innings, gave up two hits, and struck out three for his first victory of the season. Vinnie Contaldi (2-1) suffered the loss for the Sharks. Contaldi pitched 2.2 innings, gave up seven runs with five being earned, and walked two. 

Game two was a pitcher's duel until the later innings. The Statesmen plated the first run of the game in the fifth inning. Aldridge brought Leal home with an infield single to the shortstop. The run gave the Statesmen the 1-0 lead.

The Statesmen seemed to break away from the Sharks with seven runs in the sixth inning. The Statesmen earned their runs on seven hits in the frame, and were aided by two Nova errors.

Down 8-0 going into the final inning, the Sharks tried to make a comeback. Eric Acevedo singled into right field, which brought home two runs. Brett Clements then scored Angulo with a base hit to right center to make it an 8-3 game. The Sharks loaded the bases with only one out, but the Statesmen were able to end the game when Julien Plana hit into a double play, which gave the Statesmen the 8-3 victory.

Colton Mitchell (1-0) started game two for the Statesmen, and earned his first victory of the season. Mitchell pitched six shutout innings, allowed just two hits, walked one, and struck out five. Garrett Pickens (1) came on in relief during the seventh inning, and earned his first save of the season.

Mitchell Buerosse (1-2) started for the Sharks and pitched five innings, but suffered the loss. Buerosse allowed just one run on five hits, and walked two batters.

The Statesmen closed out the series outscoring the Sharks 36-7 over three games.

The Statesmen will continue their season opening home stand by hosting Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday with a 2 p.m. first pitch. The Statesmen will then play three more games at Ferriss Field against Florida Southern College next weekend.