Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CLEVELAND, Miss. – The top-ranked Delta State University baseball team completed the three-game sweep of the University of Montevallo with 7-1 and 9-8 victories Saturday, Feb. 9 at Ferriss Field.  The Statesmen (3-0) had to rally for three runs in the bottom of the ninth of game three to accomplish the sweep over the Falcons (3-4).  DSU extended its lead in the series to 31-9 all-time versus UM.   

In game one, the Statesmen needed a six-run eighth inning rally to claim a 7-1 victory over the Falcons in game two of the series at Ferriss Field.  

Taking a page from Friday's game, the Falcons jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second as Andrew Hill's double to left scored Zach Willoughby, who walked and stole second. 

After back-to-back scoreless innings by Statesmen starter Josh Branstetter, DSU finally scratched the scoreboard to the tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth.  Sam Kidd singled to right to open the inning and moved around to third on a failed pickoff attempt by UM starter Edward Brandsema.  Brent Langston delivered the RBI single to right to tie it up at 1-1.

The Statesmen erupted for six runs off three different Montevallo pitchers to take a commanding 7-1 lead.  Jami Rachal pushed across what proved to be the winning run on a bases loaded walk.  Ben Kingsley added an RBI single while Carlos Leal delivered a two-RBI single to make the final margin six runs. 

Taylor Stark worked a scoreless ninth to seal the win for the Statesmen. 

Ricky Winters (1-0) won the game in relief after tossing two shutout innings.  Branstetter pitched 6.0 innings allowing one run on four hits with a walk and four strikeouts, but did not factor in the decision. 

Falcons starter took the loss after surrendering two runs in 7.1 innings with a walk and a pair of strikeouts. Jake Christensen and Codu Hughes both worked in relief and gave up two earned runs each. 

Chovanec and Rachal both finished with two hits apiece to lead the Statesmen.  Willoughby was the only Falcons starter with two hits.

In game two, the Statesmen jumped out to its first lead over the Falcons after back-to-back doubles by Tyler Aldridge and Sam Kidd.  Kidd's RBI double sailed over the head of UM leftfielder Zach Willoughby. 

The Falcons finally got to Statesmen starter Colton Mitchell in the top of the fourth, plating two runs on three hits.  Jackson Slaid singled to left to open the inning and came around to score on Andrew Hill's RBI double to right-center.  Thomas Bradey singled over the outstretched glove of Aldridge to score Hill from second. 

The lead was short-lived for the Falcons, as the Statesmen clawed back for three runs in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run 350-foot home run to left by Ben Pickard, the first of his career, and an RBI ground out by Taylor Stark, all coming off UM starter Josh Clemen.  DSU scratched out four hits in the inning leading to the 4-2 Statesmen lead.

DSU made the call to the bullpen in the top of the fifth, as junior right-handed pitcher Cody McGill came on in relief of Mitchell.  Mitchell worked 4.0 innings allowing two runs on four hits with a pair of walks and strikeouts. 

Montevallo's defense let down the offense in the bottom of the sixth as a throwing error by third baseman Hill on a slow roller by Kasey Hinton allowed Stark, who singled to right and stole second, to come in to score.  Pickard followed with a single to right to plate Hinton extending the Statesmen lead to 6-2. 

UM reclaimed the lead with six runs in the top of the seventh to go up 8-5 on DSU.  Slaid delivered a two-out, two-RBI single down the right field line and Vimmy Rodriquez followed it up with an RBI single to left to plate the runs and force McGill from the game.  Junior right-hander Travis Northern relieved McGill and promptly game up a three-run home run to Willoughby.  After a double by Hill, Bradey singled through the right side, but Sam Kidd threw a strike to home to retire Hill and end the inning. 

The Falcons threatened again in the top of the eighth off reliever Garrett Pickens by advancing Jeremy Hyde to third.  With two outs and runners on the corners, Chovanec chased down a deep shot to right-center by Slaid to end the inning and keep the deficit at 8-6 for DSU.

Down two in the bottom of the ninth, the Statesmen loaded the bases with no one out on a single by Carlos Leal and back-to-back bunt singles by Chovanec and Aldridge off UM reliever Jake Christensen.  Kidd slapped a base hit through the right side to score Leal, making it 8-7 Falcons, and keeping the pressure on UM.  Langston came through with a single to center to plate Chovanec and tie the game at 8-8.  Vinson capped the three-run rally for the Statesmen with a game-winning single to center to propel DSU to the sweep 9-8.

Pickens (1-0) claimed the victory after working two scoreless innings of relief for the Statesmen.  McGill worked 2.2 innings, giving up five runs on five hits, while Northern tossed a third of an inning and allowed one run on three hits.

Christensen (0-1) took the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits in three innings of work.  UM starter Clemen pitched six innings and gave up six runs on eight hits, but did not factor in the decision.

Stark led the Statesmen with three hits in the win, while Pickard finished the game 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and three RBIs.  Kidd also finished with two RBIs.

UM had seven hitters collect two hits with Willoughby leading the way with three RBIs.

DSU will travel to the University of Arkansas-Monticello on Wednesday, Feb. 13.  First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Boll Weevil Field.  DSU returns to Ferriss Field next Friday and Saturday for a three-game series with No. 19 Nova Southeastern.