GAME NOTES: Delta State Statesmen vs. Southern Arkansas | North Alabama (3.4-10.13)
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - The No. 1 Statesmen (13-2, 2-1 GSC) of Delta State University will look to recapture the momentum they had through the first three weeks of the season this week with a midweek contest on Tuesday (6 p.m.) at No. 30 Southern Arkansas University (14-6) before hosting the University of North Alabama (8-5, 2-1 GSC) for a Gulf South Conference series over the weekend at Ferriss Field.  Saturday's doubleheader is set for 12 p.m. with a single game on Sunday at 2 p.m.

This week's schedule finds the Statesmen back on the road to the state of Arkansas, as DSU travels to No. 30 Southern Arkansas, a former member of the GSC.  The two teams have enjoyed a spirited rivalry over the years with the Green-and-White owning a 57-27 lead in the series standings. 

The Gulf South Conference race continues to heat up for No. 2-ranked Statesmen, as Delta State welcomes in long-time rival North Alabama this weekend.  The three-game series will mark the 83-85th meetings between the two schools, who helped form the GSC in 1970.  The Statesmen own a slim edge in the series standings, 44-38.  DSU took 2-of-3 at UNA during the regular season before claiming back-to-back wins over the Lions in the GSC Tournament and NCAA South Region Tournament.  

Senior right-handed pitcher Josh Branstetter was named the GSC Pitcher of the Week after tossing a complete game in DSU's 5-2 victory in game one of last weekend's series with No. 7 West Florida.  The Pensacola, Fla., native allowed two runs and struck out seven en route to his 20th career win as a Statesman.  He is now 20-7 all-time with a 2.87 ERA in 37 career starts. 

The Delta State Baseball team claimed 2-of-3 from No. 7 West Florida (10-3, 1-2 GSC) this past weekend at Ferriss Field.  After splitting midweek games at Arkansas-Monticello (W, 9-5) and Harding (L, 2-12), the Statesmen claimed wins in game one 5-2 and game two, 6-3, before dropping the series finale 6-3.  The loss was the first at home this season for DSU.

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 perennial national power Abilene Christian University for a two-game series on Tuesday and Wednesday before closing out the week at GSC foe Christian Brothers University.  


STATESMEN-MULERIDERS REKINDLE SERIES
This week's schedule finds the Statesmen back on the road to the state of Arkansas, as DSU travels to No. 30 Southern Arkansas, a former member of the GSC.  The two teams have enjoyed a spirited rivalry over the years with the Green-and-White owning a 57-27 lead in the series standings.

The Muleriders will return the trip to Ferriss Field on April 10 with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m.   

GULF SOUTH RACE HEATING UP AS UNA TRAVELS TO DSU
The Gulf South Conference race continues to heat up for No. 2-ranked Statesmen, as Delta State welcomes in long-time rival North Alabama this weekend.  The three-game series will mark the 83rd-85th meetings between the two schools, who helped form the GSC in 1970. 

The Statesmen own a slim edge in the series standings, 44-38.  DSU took 2-of-3 at UNA during the regular season before claiming back-to-back wins over the Lions in the GSC Tournament and NCAA South Region Tournament.  

BRANSTETTER NAMED GSC PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Senior right-handed pitcher Josh Branstetter was named the GSC Pitcher of the Week after tossing a complete game in DSU's 5-2 victory in game one of last weekend's series with No. 7 West Florida. 

The Pensacola, Fla., native allowed two runs and struck out seven en route to his 20th career win as a Statesman.  He is now 20-7 all-time with a 2.87 ERA in 37 career starts. 

STATESMEN TAKE 2-OF-3 FROM NO. 7 UWF
The Delta State Baseball team claimed 2-of-3 from No. 7 West Florida (10-3, 1-2 GSC) this past weekend at Ferriss Field.  After splitting midweek games at Arkansas-Monticello (W, 9-5) and Harding (L, 2-12), the Statesmen claimed wins in game one 5-2 and game two, 6-3, before dropping the series finale 6-3.  The loss was the first at home this season for DSU.

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 .434 average and 20 RBIs.  Through 15 games, Kingsley is 23-of-53 at the plate with six doubles, a triple and 14 runs scored.  The career .337 hitter needs just two hits to crack 100 in just two seasons.  

RUNNING PAST THE OPPOSITION
The Statesmen have outscored the opposition 125-57 through the first 15 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 8.3 per contest. 

BRANSTETTER MAKING HISTORY
Senior right-hander Josh Branstetter (3-0, 0.61 ERA) 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.  In the process, Branstetter moved into 10th place in DSU history for career wins (20) and innings pitched (263.0).

The Pensacola, Fla., native is 20-7 in his career at DSU with a 2.87 ERA.  In 263.0 innings pitched, Branstetter has allowed 119 runs, just 84 earned, on 244 hits with a mere 49 walks and 197 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 .345 hitter with 211 hits in 605 at-bats.  The All-American has scored 127 runs with 45 doubles, five triples, 10 home runs and 144 RBIs in his 174 game career at Delta State.       

ALDRIDGE RIDING 15 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 .433 average and leads the way with 26 hits and 16 runs scored. 

The former East Mississippi CC transfer is currently riding a 15-game hitting streak for the Statesmen.  He also leads the team with 10 multi-hit games, including nine games with two hits each. 

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 2-0 with a 1.14 ERA.  In 23.2 innings pitched, the Raymond, Miss., native has allowed just three runs on 12 hits with nine walks and 31 strikeouts. 

THE DUKE STRIKES AGAIN
Junior right-handed pitcher Ricky Winters showed why he's one of the top relievers in NCAA DII with a 3.0 innings gem out of the bullpen to claim the win in DSU's 6-3 victory over No. 7 UWF in game two of the series.  The Bartlett, Tenn., native struck out four Argonauts en route to his third-straight win for the Statesmen.  Winters is 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in five appearances for DSU.

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 15 games, including 10 starts, the Meridian, Miss., native is batting .361 with 11 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 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 12 games at the hot corner for DSU and is batting .366 with 15 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 .333 with 13 RBIs and 14 runs scored.  He has collected three walks and been hit by four pitches.  Behind the dish, Leal has helped the Statesmen to a 3.35 ERA and 13 wins in 15 outings.

BULLPEN SOLID FOR STATESMEN IN RELIEF
The Statesmen bullpen has been solid this season for coach Mike Kinnison.  In 15 games, DSU's relievers are 5-1 with a 3.94 ERA in 32 appearances.  Ricky Winters (3-0, 2.70 ERA), earned his third 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 six relief appearances followed by Winters, Pickens, Jared Bond (0-0, 2.84 ERA) and Drew Milligan (1-0, 2.25 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 1,793 victories.  Since 1933, the Statesmen are 1,793-884-11. 

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 716-218-1 record.