GAME NOTES: No. 16 Delta State University at University of North Alabama (2.22-23.14)
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - No. 16 Delta State University (3-3, 2-1 GSC) begins a seven-game road swing this weekend with a three-game Gulf South Conference series against the University of North Alabama (3-6, 0-3 GSC) in Florence, Ala. Saturday's doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. at Mike Lane Field followed by a single game Sunday at 1 p.m.
Matt Jones will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Radio Network each day beginning 15 minutes prior to first pitch.
DSU and UNA are meeting for the 86th time on the diamond with the Statesmen leading the all-time series standings 46-39. DSU took 2-of-3 last season from the Lions at Ferriss Field. In their last trip to Lane Field, the Statesmen took 2-of-3 from the Lions during the 2012 campaign.
DELTA STATE TAKES SERIES FROM WEST ALABAMA
The No. 8 Statesmen are coming off a series victory over the University of West Alabama last weekend to open GSC play. DSU defeated UWA 5-2 in games one and three, but fell 7-1 in game two. UNA was swept by No. 4 University of West Florida (8-2, 3-0 GSC).
WINTERS SHINES IN SERIES FINALE
Ricky Winters struck out six in his first start of the season to lead No. 6 Delta State University to a 5-2 victory over the University of West Alabama Sunday in the rubber game of the series at Ferriss Field. The Statesmen improved to 3-3 on the year and 2-1 in Gulf South Conference play, while the Tigers slipped to 7-3 and 1-2 in league action.
Winters (1-0) made the most of his first start of the season, tossing 5.2 innings with six strikeouts and a lone walk. The senior from Bartlett, Tenn., allowed just one run, which came in the first inning, on four hits to earn his first win of the year.
The senior from Bartlett, Tenn., moved to 12-1 all-time on the hill for the Statesmen. In his career, Winters has pitched in 40 games, totaling 114.1 innings with 104 strikeouts.
MANLEY MAKES DEBUT
Senior RHP
Michael Manley made his season debut in game one of Delta State's series with West Alabama. The preseason All-American did not factor in the decision, but pitched 6.0 innings while allowing two runs on six hits with four walks and four strikeouts.
MOODY LIGHTS OUT IN RELIEF
Jonathon Moody, a junior from Millington, Tenn., came on in relief of Manley in the seventh and worked 3.0 scoreless innings with two strikeouts to lead the Statesmen to a 5-2 win out of the bullpen in game one of the series versus West Alabama.
CHOVANEC & HINTON RIDING SIX-GAME HIT STREAK
The top two spots in Delta State's order have delivered early and often for coach
Mike Kinnison this season, as
Jordan Chovanec and
Kasey Hinton enter the weekend riding six-game hit streaks.
Hinton, a senior from Meridian, Miss., currently leads the Statesmen with a .375 average after going 9-for-24 at the plate with a home run and three RBIs.
Chovanec, a senior from Inez, Texas, is hitting .308 on the year. The three-year starter is 8-for-26 from his leadoff position, including two doubles, a triple and an RBI.
PICKARD SWINGING HOT BAT
Sophomore catcher/DH
Ben Pickard is 6-for-16 at the plate with a double and three RBI this season. In Sunday's 5-2 win over UWA, the Biloxi, Miss., native went 2-for-4 with a two-RBI single.
Last season, Pickard hit .261 with two home runs and 10 RBIs. He is the brother of former DSU standout first baseman and 2004 College World Series MVP Bert Pickard.
ROBERTSON MAKING MOST OF OPPORTUNITIES
Junior outfielder/pitcher
Will Robertson is making the most of his opportunities this season. The junior transfer from Northeast Miss. CC is hitting .438 at the plate with a double and an RBI in four starts in left field.
He's also made one appearance out of the bullpen, throwing a scoreless inning with a strikeout versus West Alabama.
STARK COMPARISONS
Senior closer
Taylor Stark has picked up where he left off last season, nailing down two saves in DSU's first six games this season. The senior from Flowood, Miss., has thrown 1.2 scoreless innings this season with zero walks and three strikeouts. In key outings at Palm Beach Atlantic and versus West Alabama, he helped nail down victories for the Green-and-White.
The former Mississippi State transfer is 3-0 in his career with seven saves and 29 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched.
HERRINGTON TAKING OVER IN RIGHT FIELD
Senior outfielder
Dex Herrington is taking over the every day duties in right for the Statesmen so far this season. The Northwest Miss. CC transfer has started all six games in right while batting .304 with two doubles and four RBIs. The Senatobia, Miss., native is 7-for-23 at the plate with five runs scored.
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 1,827 victories. Since 1933, the Statesmen are 1,827-896-11. In GSC games only, DSU is 515-189-1.
750-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.
The former All-American shortstop at Delta State picked up his 750th career win in Sunday's 5-2 victory over West Alabama. In 18 seasons as head coach, the Benton, Miss., native is 750-230-2.
PROFESSIONAL STATESMEN
The Statesmen boast more professional players, 71 drafted and free agents, than any other program in the Gulf South Conference. Currently, six Statesmen are on active major or minor league rosters. DSU's
Garrett Pickens was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 28th round following last season.
STATESMEN & ARGOS PICKED FIRST IN GSC POLL; FIVE STATESMEN NAMED TO PRESEASON ALL-GSC TEAM
The Statesmen baseball team was picked to finish first by the rest of the conference, picking up a trio of first and second place votes to tie West Florida with 44 points. DSU finished the 2013 regular season atop the GSC rankings.
Delta State was also heavily represented in the 2014 GSC Baseball Preseason Team, with five of the 19 players. On the list for DSU are;
Jordan Chovanec,
Kasey Hinton,
Carlos Leal,
Michael Manley, and
Taylor Stark.
Delta State (44)
West Florida (44)
Alabama-Huntsville (37)
Valdosta State (29)
North Alabama (27)
West Alabama (18)
West Georgia (17)
Christian Brothers (8)
CHOVANEC & MANLEY NAMED PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS
The preseason awards continue to grow for Delta State University Baseball as a pair of seniors,
Jordan Chovanec and
Michael Manley, have each been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association preseason awards lists. Both players were recognized as All-South Region First Team honorees, while Manley also earned a place on the Second Team All-American list.
Manley returns for his senior season for the Statesmen after posting a 9-0 record in 2013 over 14 appearances with a 1.93 ERA. After his first season pitching for DSU Manley earned many postseason accolades, including First Team All-Gulf South Conference thanks to being named Pitcher of the Week four times, First Team All-South Region by Daktronics and the NCBWA, Daktronics All-America Second Team, and NCBWA All-America Honorable Mention.
Chovanec will hit the field for his fourth season as a member of the Statesmen, where he will be looking to continue to rise the career record books in several categories. His career efforts have totaled 156 hits, 126 runs, and 52 stolen bases. Last season, the Inez, Texas, native hit .347 with 76 hits, while scoring 64 runs to lead the GSC.
The 2013 season saw Chovanec credited with postseason honors on All-GSC First Team, the conference also named him Most Valuable Player of the GSC Tournament, Daktronics All-South Second Team, and honorable mention by NCBWA All-South. Not to be overlooked are Chovanec's efforts in the classroom, where he earned placement on Capital One Academic All-American Second Team, CoSIDA Academic All-South Region Team, and CoSIDA Academic All-South Region Team.
SPEED KILLS
The Statesmen set a new team record with 117 stolen bases in 2013. No one can question the impact speed makes on the bases, so look for the Statesmen to continue the trend this year.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Defense has always been a staple for the Statesmen. A year ago, DSU recorded a .964 fielding percentage in 2,082 chances. The Statesmen also turned 51 double plays and had 11 players record 1.000 fielding percentages.
WORLD CHAMPION STATESMEN
Eli Whiteside, a former All-American catcher at DSU, became the first player in Delta State University history to win two MLB World Series Championships with the San Francisco Giants (2010 | 2012). Barry Lyons, a back-up catcher for New York, became the first Statesmen to win a World Series title with the New York Mets in 1986.
