GAME NOTES: Delta State University Baseball vs. UA-Monticello | Harding | West Florida (2.25-3.3.13)
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - The No. 1/No. 1 Statesmen (10-0, 0-0 GSC) of Delta State University face a difficult schedule in week three of the season, as the Green-and-White face former Gulf South Conference foes in midweek action at the University of Arkansas-Monticello (9-5) and Harding University (7-5).  Tuesday's contest at UAM is set for 2 p.m. with a 1 p.m. start Wednesday at Harding.   DSU leads the all-time series with UAM 75-5 and holds a 31-6 advantage over the Bisons.

The Gulf South Conference opener for the top-ranked Statesmen will take place this weekend, as the No. 7 ranked Argonauts (9-1, 0-0 GSC) of the University of West Florida. Saturday's twinbill is set for 12 p.m. with a single game slated for 2 p.m. Sunday.  Last season the Statesmen swept the Argonauts in Pensacola, Fla., 8-1, 8-2 and 9-3.  DSU went on to defeat UWF at the GSC Tournament 7-3 and 11-3 in the NCAA South Regional at the University of Tampa.  Despite all that success, the Statesmen hold a narrow two-game league in the series standings 22-20.

The Delta State Baseball team extended its season-opening win streak to 10 games this past weekend with a sweep of perennial D2 power Florida Southern at Ferriss Field and a midweek victory over Mississippi Valley State. The Statesmen (10-0) began the week with a 13-5 victory over the Delta Devils before sweeping away the Mocs 12-0, 7-6 and 5-1 over the weekend.

Delta State was elected by the coaches to enter the 2013 season as the preseason favorite.  Delta State topped the coaches' poll garnering 48 total points. West Florida boasted two first-place votes to place second with 43 points, while North Alabama secured third place with 36 points. Both Alabama-Huntsville and Valdosta State tied for fourth with 29 points each.  West Alabama recorded 18 points for fifth place, followed by West Georgia with 14. Rounding out the eight was Christian Brothers with seven points.

Delta State University placed five players on the 2013 Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll All-GSC Team.  The five Statesmen named to the squad included Jordan Chovanec (CF), Colton Mitchell (LHP), Sam Kidd (RF), Michael Vinson (LF) and Josh Branstetter (RHP).

UP NEXT
Delta State will travel to Southern Arkansas University on Tuesday, March 5 before returning to Ferriss Field for a weekend series with the University of North Alabama.  Saturday's doubleheader is slated for 12 p.m., with a single game Sunday at 2 p.m.  

STATESMEN FACE FAMILIAR FOES IN UAM/HARDING
The top-ranked Delta State Baseball team will face two familiar foes this week in non-conference play, as the Statesmen travel to UA-Monticello (2.26/1 p.m.) and Harding (2.27/1 p.m.).  The games mark the last non-conference games for DSU before opening GSC play Saturday versus West Florida.

Last season the Statesmen swept UAM 13-3 and 11-3 in a home-and-home series, but did not face the Bisons.  DSU leads the all-time series with the Boll Weevils 75-5 and Harding 31-6.

DELTA STATE TO OPEN GSC PLAY WITH ARGOS
The No. 1 ranked Statesmen will open Gulf South Conference play this weekend, as DSU welcomes No. 7 West Florida to Ferriss Field.  Saturday's twinbill is set for 12 p.m. with a single game slated for Sunday at 1 p.m. 

One of the highlights of the league schedule each season, the DSU-UWF matchup promises to offer a glimpse into the nation's toughest regional favorites.  Both DSU and UWF, who were picked to finish 1-2 in the GSC Preseason Poll, are considered top selections for potential host locations for the NCAA South Region Tournament. 

Last season the Statesmen swept the Argonauts in Pensacola, Fla., 8-1, 8-2 and 9-3.  DSU went on to defeat UWF at the GSC Tournament 7-3 and 11-3 in the NCAA South Regional at the University of Tampa. 

Despite all that success, the Statesmen hold a narrow two-game league in the series standings 22-20.

GREEN-AND-WHITE MAKE IT 10 & COUNTING
The Delta State Baseball team extended its season-opening win streak to 10 games this past weekend with a sweep of perennial D2 power Florida Southern at Ferriss Field and a midweek victory over Mississippi Valley State.

The Statesmen (10-0) began the week with a 13-5 victory over the Delta Devils before sweeping away the Mocs 12-0, 7-6 and 5-1 over the weekend.

KING OF THE MOUNTAIN
Senior designated hitter Ben Kingsley has been a major force at the plate for the Statesmen this season.  The senior from Mantachie, Miss., leads DSU with a .500 average and 17 RBIs.  Through 10 games, Kingsley is 17-of-34 at the plate with four doubles, a triple and 10 runs scored. 

This past week versus Mississippi Valley State and Florida Southern, Kingsley hit .714 with seven runs scored, two doubles, a triple and nine RBIs.  In Saturday's sweep of FSC, Kingsley drove in six RBIs and was 5-of-7 at the plate.

RUNNING PAST THE OPPOSITION
The Statesmen have outscored the opposition 100-29 through the first 10 games of the 2013 season.  In fact, Delta State leads the GSC and ranks among the nation's leaders in runs per game, which currently sits at 10 per contest. 

COMEBACK KIDS
The Statesmen have continued the program's tradition of fighting to the last out each game.  Through the first 10 games of the season, DSU is 3-0 in contests after trailing the opposition, including a 2-0 mark when trailing after seven innings.

MANLEY REMAINS PERFECT ON THE SEASON
Junior right-hander Michael Manley remained perfect on the season after striking out a career-high 11 Florida Southern batters in a 5-1 victory last Sunday.  The Raymond, Miss., native is 2-0 on the year with a 0.51 ERA in 17.2 innings pitched.  The Meridian CC transfer did see his season-opening consecutive scoreless innings streak come to a close at 14. 

BRANSTETTER MAKING HISTORY
Senior right-hander Josh Branstetter (2-0, 0.45 ERA) earned his 19th career win with 8.0 shutout innings of work versus Florida Southern last Saturday in DSU's 12-0 series opening victory at Ferriss Field.  In the process, Branstetter moved into 11th place in DSU history with 254.0 career innings pitched.

The Pensacola, Fla., native is 19-7 in his career at DSU with a 2.94 ERA.  In 254.0 innings pitched, Branstetter has allowed 117 runs, just 83 earned, on 236 hits with a mere 47 walks and 190 strikeouts.

VINSON JOINS 200-HIT CLUB; CRACKS RECORD BOOK
Michael Vinson collected his 200th career hit versus No. 16 Nova Southeastern on a 3-run home run to right field in DSU's 13-4 game two victory Saturday, Feb. 16 at Ferriss Field, and moved into 11th place in the career record book with 44 doubles after his performance this week versus Florida Southern.  His 44th double came in DSU's 5-1 series finale with FSC on Sunday, Feb. 24.  

The Southaven, Miss., native, who is on the verge of cracking into the top 10 in several additional DSU career categories, is a career .350 hitter with 207 hits in 592 at-bats.  The All-American has scored 126 runs with 44 doubles, five triples, 10 home runs and 143 RBIs in his 169 game career at Delta State.       

ALDRIDGE REMAINS HOT AT THE PLATE; RIDING 10 GAME HITTING STREAK
Senior second baseman Tyler Aldridge continues to impress at the plate for the Statesmen.  The Steens, Miss., native is second on the team with a .475 average and leads the way with 19 hits and 13 runs scored.  Last week, Aldridge hit .533 (8-of-15) with a double, five runs scored and three RBIs. 

The former East Mississippi CC transfer is currently riding a 10-game hitting streak for the Statesmen.  He also leads the team with eight multi-hit games, including seven games with two hits each. 

LANGSTON HEATING UP AT THE PLATE
Junior first baseman Brent Langston had his best week so far this season for the Statesmen, batting .308 with a home run and five RBIs in a 4-0 effort versus Miss. Valley State and Florida Southern.  The Southaven, Miss., native is batting .235 with a home run and 11 RBIs this season. 

PICKENS DOMINANT IN RETURN TO HILL
Redshirt senior reliever Garrett Pickens, who missed all of 2012 with an injury, has been nothing short of dominant since making his return to the mound in 2013.  In three appearances, the Yazoo City, Miss., native is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a save.  In 4.1 innings pitched, Pickens has allowed zero runs on just two hits with a walk and two strikeouts.  He claimed a win on opening weekend versus Montevallo in DSU's 8-7 series finale victory and earned a rare three inning save in a 13-0 victory over No. 16 Nova Southeastern in game one at Ferriss Field.

NEWCOMERS MAKING STATEMENT FOR STATESMEN
DSU features two new starters in a lineup that returned six everyday fixtures last season and those newcomers are making a statement for the Statesmen.  Junior third baseman Jami Rachal has started all 10 games at the hot corner for DSU and is batting .382 with 13 hits, two triples, a double and seven RBIs.

Junior catcher Carlos Leal has also made quite an impression at the plate and behind the dish.  The Guaynabo, Puerto Rico native is batting .414 with 10 RBIs and 11 runs scored.  He has collected three walks and been hit by four pitches.  Behind the dish, Leal has helped the Statesmen to a 2.51 ERA and 10-straight wins.

BULLPEN SOLID FOR STATESMEN IN RELIEF
The Statesmen bullpen has been solid this season for coach Mike Kinnison.  In 10 games, DSU's relievers are 3-0 with a 3.94 ERA in 23 appearances.  Rickey Winters (2-0, 0.00 ERA), earned his second win of the season last week in relief, while Garrett Pickens (1-0, 0.00 ERA) has not allowed a run all season and claimed his first save.  

Taylor Stark (1 save) leads the team with four relief appearances followed by Winters, Pickens and Drew Milligan (0-0, 3.38 ERA). 

PROFESSIONAL STATESMEN
The Statesmen boast more professional players, 70 drafted and free agents, than any other program in the Gulf South Conference.  Currently, five Statesmen are on active major or minor league rosters.  DSU had three players taken in the 2010 MLB Draft, including: Brandon Hardin (10th/White Sox), Aaron Newcomb (19th/Angels) and James Hudelson (28th/White Sox).

DELTA STATE PICKED TO REPEAT AS GSC CHAMPIONS
The 2012 Gulf South Conference champions, Delta State University, was selected by the coaches to enter the 2013 season as the preseason favorite on Wednesday.  Traditional power Delta State topped the coaches' poll garnering 48 total points. West Florida boasted two first-place votes to place second with 43 points, while North Alabama secured third place with 36 points. Both Alabama-Huntsville and Valdosta State tied for fourth with 29 points each.

West Alabama recorded 18 points for fifth place, followed by West Georgia, with 14. Rounding out the eight-team preseason coaches' poll was Christian Brothers, with seven points.

DSU also enters the season ranked No. 2 in the nation in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's Top 40 Preseason Poll, while UWF and UNA (tied with Missouri-St. Louis) collected the No. 16 and No. 30 positions, respectively.

STATESMEN PLACE FIVE ON PRESEASON ALL-GSC
Ten 2012 All-GSC First Team standouts highlight the 20-member 2013 Baseball Preseason All-GSC Team, led by five Statesmen.   Overall, Delta State returned the most players with five, followed by West Florida and North Alabama, which added four each. Alabama-Huntsville and West Alabama both had two players, while Christian Brothers, West Georgia and Valdosta State all rounded out the contingent with one player each.

The five Statesmen named to the squad included Jordan Chovanec (CF), Colton Mitchell (LHP), Sam Kidd (RF), Michael Vinson (LF) and Josh Branstetter (RHP).

STATESMEN RANK NO.1 ALL-TIME IN WINS IN GSC
Delta State University baseball holds the distinction of owning the most conference titles (12) in Gulf South Conference history.  DSU also holds the honor of being the all-time winningest program in league history with 1,790 victories.  Since 1933, the Statesmen are 1,790-880-11. 

700-CLUB KINNISON STYLE
Delta State University head baseball coach Mike Kinnison, a member of the MS Sports Hall of Fame, joined the 700-win club last season. He enters the year with a 713-216-1 record.