Box Score JACKSON, Tenn. – The Delta State University Statesmen Baseball team picked up a series sweep of Union University on Sunday with a 13-3 victory over the Bulldogs at Fesmire Field.
 
The sweep over Union (7-28, 2-18 Gulf South Conference) gives the Statesmen (30-5-1, 15-2-1 GSC) their eighth straight conference win.
 
After a slow start offensively in the first couple innings, Delta State took the lead with one run in the third, coming off a RBI double from Sam Kidd, scoring Jordan Chovanec.
 
In the fourth inning, Delta State took control after batting around the lineup, scoring eight runs in the process.
 
After Carlos Leal reached on an error, Jami Rachal doubled to give Statesmen runners on second and third. Kasey Hinton followed it up with a squeeze bunt perfected down the right side, scoring Leal and giving Statesmen runners on the corners.
 
After a pitch hit Jonathan Andrews to load the bases, Chovanec hit a two-RBI single to score Hinton and Rachal.
 
Two batters later, Tyler Aldridge hit an RBI single to center, scoring Andrews. After a Michael Vinson walk to lead the bases, Ben Kingsley hit a grand slam well clear of the left field wall to cap off the eight run inning and put the Statesmen up 9-0.
 
Delta State starting pitcher Michael Manley gave up three runs in the bottom of the fourth, but Delta State answered with a pair of runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
 
In the fifth inning, Rachal and Hinton lead off the inning with triples to left center and straight away center field.  Hinton then scored on a sacrifice fly by Andrews.
 
In the sixth inning, Hinton hit a two RBI double, scoring Leal and Rachal, who reached earlier in the inning. The runs gave Delta State a 13-3 lead that Manley and reliever Garrett Pickens held on to end the game in seven innings.
 
Manley picked up his sixth win of the season, allowing three runs in six innings, while striking out five.
 
The Statesmen will return to action Tuesday with the first of two games against Ouachita Baptist in Arkadelphia, Ark. The second game will take place on Wednesday. Both games are scheduled for 3 p.m. starts.