Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CLEVELAND - The Delta State University Statesmen Baseball team used a pair of solid pitching performances and key offensive at bats to defeat West Georgia in a doubleheader 7-1 and 3-2 at Ferriss Field.

The Statesmen (34-5-1, 17-2-1 GSC) starting pitchers of Josh Branstetter and Colton Mitchell combined for 16 innings without allowing an earned run.

In game one, Branstetter gave up an unearned run in the first inning and then held the Wolves (23-20, 11-11 GSC) scoreless for the remaining eight innings as the Statesmen scored seven runs.

Delta State took the lead in the bottom of the first, scoring on a pair of runs on a dropped fly ball with two outs to left field by Ben Kingsley. Michael Vinson and Sam Kidd scored from first and second on the play.

Delta State added some more runs in the fourth, taking a 6-1 lead. The inning started off with Kasey Hinton hitting a single to right field and then stealing second. Hinton came around to score on a double by Josh Crowdus down the right field line. After a fly out, Kidd and Tyler Aldridge each walked to load the bases and Vinson hit a two-RBI single to left field, scoring Crowdus and Kidd. Carlos Leal and Jami Rachal then drew walks to score one more as Aldridge came in via Rachal's bases loaded walk.

In the fifth inning, the Statesmen added another run after loading the bases for the third straight inning. Crowdus and Jordan Chovanec each singled before Aldridge loaded the bases witha walk. Kingsley then reached on a fielding error by the pitcer and Crowdus scored on the play.

Branstetter (7-1) pitched eight innings, scattering 11 hits while striking out five. Cody McGill pitched the ninth inning, giving up a walk and a hit, while striking out two to seal the game.

In game two, Rachal hit a walk off single with the bases loaded in the eighth inning to give the Statesmen the victory.

Delta State took the lead in the bottom of the first with a run. Chovanec led off the game with a single and then advanced to third on an Aldridge single. After Aldridge stole second, Vinson grounded out to the right side and Chovanec scored on the play.

In the second inning, the Statesmen added another run after loading the bases,but West Georgia responded with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the third to tie the game.

The game stayed tied at two through the seventh inning. In the first extra inning of the scheduled seven inning game, West Georgia stranded a base runner and Delta State capitalized. In the bottom of the eighth, Vinson reach on a fielding error and Kingsley followed with an infield single to the hole at shortstop.

Following a pitching change, Leal reached on a bunt single to load the bases and Rachal followed it up with a single to deep center to win the game for the Statesmen.

Mitchell pitched all eight innings for Delta State, improving to 6-1 on the year. Mitchell gave up the two unearned runs on eight hits and two walks, while striking out eight.

The Statesmen will return to the field Sunday for the third and final game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. as the Statesmen will honor 11 seniors on Pink Out Day.