GAME NOTES: Delta State Baseball at ACU | CBU (3.11-18.13)
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University faces a stiff road week on the road, as the No. 2 Statesmen (16-3, 4-2 GSC) travel to perennial national power Abilene Christian University (11-8) for a two-game midweek series before wrapping up the six-day trip for a three-game Gulf South Conference series at Christian Brothers University (5-13, 0-6 GSC). 

AROUND THE HORN
What was once one of the South Central Region's most heated rivalries will come to a close this week, as Delta State makes its final trip to play Abilene Christian, who is transitioning to NCAA Division I.  The two-game series will be played Tuesday and Wednesday at Crutcher Scott Field.  The games will mark the 28th and 29th meetings all-time between the two schools.  DSU owns an 18-9 edge in the series standings, including a series win 9-4, 3-6 and 7-6 last season at Ferriss Field.

The Statesmen, who are currently 4-2 in Gulf South Conference play, will travel to the Christian Brothers Buccaneers (5-13, 0-6 GSC) this coming weekend for a three-game series at Buc Field.  Saturday's doubleheader is slated for 12 p.m., while Sunday's single game is set for 1 p.m.   CBU was swept by No. 16 UA-Huntsville this past weekend, while DSU took 2-of-3 from UNA.  DSU has dominated the series over the decades, owning a 75-11 lead in the series standings.  The Statesmen swept CBU 9-3, 4-0 and 18-2 last season in Memphis.

The Statesmen claimed their second-straight GSC series last weekend, taking 2-of-3 from the Lions of North Alabama.  DSU used the long ball to claim a 14-5 and 7-4 sweep in games one and two at Ferriss Field.  Delta State had four home runs in game one and added a fifth home run in game two. The Statesmen entered the day with three home runs on the season.  Michael Vinson, Ben Kingsley, and Brent Langston highlighted game one's 14-5 win with back-to-back-to-back home runs. 

Senior right-handed pitcher Josh Branstetter became the 12th pitcher in DSU history to top 200-strikeouts after fanning seven versus the University of North Alabama on Sunday, March 10.  The Pensacola, Fla., native is 20-8 all-time with a 2.90 ERA in 38 starts.  His 204 strikeouts currently rank 11th on the career charts.

The Statesmen have outscored the opposition 156-70 through the first 19 games of the 2013 season.  In fact, Delta State ranks among the nation's leaders in runs per game, which currently sits at 8.2 per contest.

Delta State's bullpen has been outstanding this season, posting a 5-0 record with a 3.45 ERA in 39 appearances.  Ricky Winters (4-0, 4.11 ERA), Garrett Pickens (1-0, 0.00 ERA), Drew Milligan (1-0, 1.80 ERA) have all been lights out for DSU.

Senior designated hitter Ben Kingsley and senior third baseman Tyler Aldridge have been major catalysts for the DSU offense this season. Kingsley is batting .426 with six doubles and 25 RBIs, while Aldridge is hitting .408 with five doubles and 17 RBIs. 

ON DECK
Delta State will host two midweek games versus Mississippi Valley State (Tue./6:30 p.m.) and Harding (Wed./6:30 p.m.) before traveling to No. 16 University of Alabama-Huntsville for a three-game Gulf South Conference series.

STATESMEN & WILDCATS TO MEET FOR FINAL TIME
What was once one of the South Central Region's most heated rivalries will come to a close this week, as Delta State makes its final trip to play Abilene Christian, who is transitioning to NCAA Division I.  The two-game series will be played Tuesday and Wednesday at Crutcher Scott Field.

Before the NCAA transitioned the Statesmen back to the South Region, DSU and ACU routinely battled for supremacy of the South Central, including regional appearances in Cleveland in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. 

The games will mark the 28th and 29th meetings all-time between the two schools.  DSU owns an 18-9 edge in the series standings, including a series win 9-4, 3-6 and 7-6 last season at Ferriss Field. 

DELTA STATE SET TO TRAVEL TO CHRISTIAN BROTHERS
The Statesmen, who are currently 4-2 in Gulf South Conference play, will travel to the Christian Brothers Buccaneers (5-13, 0-6 GSC) this coming weekend for a three-game series at Buc Field.  Saturday's doubleheader is slated for 12 p.m., while Sunday's single game is set for 1 p.m. 

CBU was swept by No. 16 UA-Huntsville this past weekend, while DSU took 2-of-3 from UNA. 

DSU has dominated the series over the decades, owning a 75-11 lead in the series standings.  The Statesmen swept CBU 9-3, 4-0 and 18-2 last season in Memphis.   

BRANSTETTER MAKING HISTORY
Senior right-hander Josh Branstetter (3-1, 1.24 ERA) joined the 200-career strikeout club with seven strikeouts versus North Alabama on Sunday, March 10.  He becomes the 12th Statesmen pitcher to top the 200-strikeout plateau in a career.

The Pensacola, Fla., native is 20-8 in his career at DSU with a 2.90 ERA.  In 270.1 innings pitched, which ranks eighth in DSU history, Branstetter has allowed 122 runs, just 87 earned, on 251 hits with a mere 49 walks and 204 strikeouts.  His 204 K's rank 11th all-time for the Statesmen.

He earned his 20th career win with a complete-game, seven strikeout performance in DSU's 5-2 game one victory over No. 7 West Florida at Ferriss Field. 

DELTA STATE TAKES 2-OF-3 FROM LIONS
The Statesmen claimed their second-straight Gulf South Conference series last weekend, taking 2-of-3 from the Lions of North Alabama with a 14-5 and 7-4 sweep in games one and two at Ferriss Field.  The Statesmen used the long ball and big offesnse to defeat the Lions.

Delta State had four home runs in game one and added a fifth home run in game two. The Statesmen entered the day with three home runs on the season.  Michael Vinson, Ben Kingsley, and Brent Langston highlighted game one's 14-5 win with back-to-back-to-back homeruns.  Michael Manley improved to 3-0 on the season despite giving up five earned runs in the first game.

In game two, Tyler Aldridge hit a home run in the bottom of the first to give the Statemen an early lead.  After the Lions took a 3-1 lead. Langston hit a two-RBI single to score Vinson and Kingsley in the bottom of the third.

The Statesmen broke a 4-4 tie in the fifith when Josh Crowdus and Jordan Chovanec scored on a fielder's choice by Kingsley. Vinson than added an insurance run with a single that scored Kingsley.

Game three was a wet and wild affair that saw UNA claim a 3-2 rain-shortened victory.  DSU trailed 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh and could not get the hit needed to tie it up.  Rain washed away all hope in the eighth. 

KING OF THE MOUNTAIN; COLLECTS 100th CAREER HIT
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 .426 average and 25 RBIs.  Through 18 games, Kingsley is 29-of-68 at the plate with six doubles, a triple, two home runs and 18 runs scored. 

Kingsley collected his 100th career hit in game one in style, a 375-foot home run to left-center. 

STATESMEN ROPE MULERIDERS
The Statesmen posted a 3-1 record last week, including an 8-1 road victory at then-No. 30 Southern Arkansas.  Delta State closed out the week taking 2-of-3 from the University of North Alabama. 

Jordan Moore tossed 6.0 innings and struck out five to lead the Statesmen to the win at SAU, 8-1.  Moore allowed just one run on four hits, but did walk six. 

Tyler Aldridge was 1-for-5 with two RBIs, while Michael Vinson went 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored.

RUNNING PAST THE OPPOSITION
The Statesmen have outscored the opposition 156-70 through the first 19 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 8.2 per contest. 

ALDRIDGE RIDING 19-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 .408 average and leads the way with 31 hits in 76 at-bats. 

The former East Mississippi CC transfer is currently riding a 19-game hitting streak for the Statesmen, currently the fourth longest in school history.  He also leads the team with 11 multi-hit games, including 10 games with two hits each. 

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 .353 hitter with 218 hits in 618 at-bats.  The All-American has scored 131 runs with 46 doubles, five triples, 11 home runs and 148 RBIs in his 177 game career at Delta State.       

MANLEY PROVING TO BE FORCE ON THE HILL
Junior right-hander Michael Manley has become a major force for the Statesmen on the hill this season.  In four appearances, including three starts, Manley is 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA.  In 29.2 innings pitched, the Raymond, Miss., native has allowed just eight runs on 21 hits with 11 walks and 38 strikeouts. 

HINTON SWINGING HOT BAT
Junior second baseman/shortstop Kasey Hinton is an excellent defender, but his bat has made the most noise so far this season.  In 19 games, including 14 starts, the Meridian, Miss., native is batting .380 with 14 runs scored and five RBIs.   

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 six appearances, the Yazoo City, Miss., native is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a save.  In 6.2 innings pitched, Pickens has allowed zero runs on just three hits with three walks and four 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.

BULLPEN SOLID FOR STATESMEN IN RELIEF
The Statesmen bullpen has been solid this season for coach Mike Kinnison.  In 19 games, DSU's relievers are 5-0 with a 3.45 ERA in 39 appearances.  Ricky Winters (4-0, 4.11 ERA), Garrett Pickens (1-0, 0.00 ERA), Drew Milligan (1-0, 1.80 ERA) have all been lights out for DSU. 

Taylor Stark (0-0, 9.00 ERA) leads the team with two saves and seven relief appearances followed by Winters, Pickens, and Jared Bond (0-0, 2.84 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 1,796 victories.  Since 1933, the Statesmen are 1,796-885-11. 

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 719-219-1 record.