Box Score
TAMPA, Fla. – Michael Manley (9-0) pitched a complete-game gem to lead the Delta State University Baseball team to a 4-2 victory over Valdosta State University in the first round of the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament at UT Baseball Field.  The Statesmen (43-9-1) joined tournament-host Tampa (40-10) in the winner's bracket.  DSU will face the victor between No. 3 Florida Tech and No. 4 West Florida Friday, May 17 at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT. 

The Statesmen struck first with three runs in the bottom of the second inning off Blazers' starter Pete Whittingslow.  DSU started the frame with back-to-back singles by Ben Kingsley and Brent Langston.  A walk to Michael Vinson loaded the bases before Kasey Hinton slapped an infield single to short for the first run of the game.

With the bases still loaded, Carlos Leal grounded into a double play that brought Langston in from third for the 2-0 lead.  Josh Crowdus plated the third run of the inning with a rocket-shot to right on the first pitch of the at-bat.  Whittingslow escaped the inning after Crowdus was caught stealing at second. 

VSU threatened in the third after a one-out single to right by Nick Rodda, but Statesman starter Michael Manley coaxed a ground ball double play by Crowdus and Hinton off the bat of Hunter Thompson to end inning. 

The Statesmen added a run with a two-out rally in the bottom of the third, as Langston delivered an RBI single to right to score Tyler Aldridge, who singled to center earlier in the inning, from second and put DSU up 4-0.

Manley worked a quiet fourth and fifth inning before Valdosta State finally plated its first run on a solo home run by Bryant Hayman to left in the top of the sixth.

In the top of the seventh, a pair of errors by the Statesman defense helped VSU score its second run of the game.  Cooper Lemonds led off the inning with a walk and moved into scoring position after a bunt sacrifice by Daniel Hoover.  An error on a throw to first by Crowdus put Clint Carr at first and Lemonds at third with one out.  Nick Rodda delivered a sac-fly RBI to center to score Lemonds and cut the lead to 4-2.

Neither team managed any offense in the eighth, setting up a top of the ninth showdown for Manley to get the win.

In regular Blazers' fashion, Lemonds led off the ninth with a single to right.  Hoover followed suit with a single to left.  With no one out, pinch-hitter Ryan McClellan executed a bunt sacrifice to move the runner to second and third.

With the third-straight game on the line versus VSU, Manley bristled on the mound, retiring Rodda on a groundout to third and ending the game on a strikeout of Hunter Thompson to seal the 4-2 victory.

Manley (9-0) picked up the complete game victory after allowing two runs on eight hits.  The Raymond, Miss., native walked four, but struck out seven Blazer batters.

Whittingslow (6-2) took the loss after tossing 7.0 innings and surrendering four earned runs on 10 hits with three walks and four strikeouts.  Benjamin Weil tossed one inning of relief.

Kingsley paced the Statesmen at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a run scored.  Langston, who also recorded an RBI, and Aldridge, who scored a run, were both 2-for-4.  Crowdus closed the game 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Rodda was the lone Blazer with two hits on the day, while Hayman finished 1-for-3 with a solo home run.

The Statesmen will face the winner of the No. 3 Florida Tech versus No. 4 West Florida matchup on Friday, May 17 at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT.  The game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting 15 minutes prior to first pitch with the DSU Alumni Association Statesmen Dugout Report. Matt Jones will have the call.