Box Score CLEVELAND – The Delta State University Statesmen fell to North Alabama 3-2 Sunday afternoon in a rain-shortened game called in the eighth inning.

The loss drops the Statesmen to 16-3 on the season and 4-2 in Gulf South Conference play

In the sixth inning, Josh Cyr hit his second homerun of the game to left field, giving the Lions (11-7, 3-3 GSC) a 3-2 lead and the eventual win.

The game was delayed for rain in the top of the eighth inning with two outs and runners on first and second for North Alabama. After 75 minutes, the game was called.

Branstetter pitched 7.1 innings in the losing effort (3-1), giving up three runs on seven hits, while striking out seven.

Cyr gave North Alabama an early lead with a homerun to left field behind a strong wind that carried for the entirety of the game.

Josh Branstetter recorded all three outs via strikeouts in the first inning. The third strikeout was Branstetter's 200th career strikeout as a Statesman.

In the second inning, Sam Kidd hit a one-out single to left field and then stole second base. Brent Langston singled to right field and Kidd scored on the play.

Kasey Hinton followed it up with a line drive double to left field, putting Langston on third. Langston then scored on a wild pitch from Cade Medley.

Thomas Lundborg doubled to lead off the third for North Alabama. After a sacrifice bunt, Jake Ward hit a sac fly to left to tie the game up at 2.

In the fifth inning, Tyler Aldridge hit a single to left center. The single extended Aldridge's hitting streak to start the year to 19 games.

Garrett Pickens had a walk and a strikeout before the game was delayed.

The Statesmen will have Monday off before playing Tuesday at Abilene Christian in the first of two games against the Wildcats. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Crutcher Scott Field Tuesday night.