Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

FLORENCE, Ala. – The No. 16 Statesmen (4-4, 3-2 GSC) of Delta State University split Saturday's Gulf South Conference doubleheader with the Lions (4-8, 1-4 GSC) of the University of North Alabama at Mike Lane Field.  The Statesmen won game one 7-0 on a brilliant performance by Michael Manley, but fell 3-1 in game two on Dylan Boston's three-run home run.  

Michael Manley (1-0) struck out five and allowed a mere three hits in 8.0 scoreless innings to lead No. 16 Delta State to a 7-0 victory over North Alabama in game one Saturday, Feb. 22 at Mike Lane Field.  The Statesmen scored seven runs on 12 hits with two errors, while the Lions finished with three hits and an error in the loss.   

The Statesmen jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on the Lions.  Kasey Hinton reached on a fielder's choice and came around to score DSU's first run on Carlos Leal's RBI ground out.  Dex Herrington, who doubled and moved to third on Leal's out, scored on a wild pitch from third to make it 2-0.  Ricky Velez capped the inning with an RBI double to left-center, scoring Ben Pickard, who reached base on a hit-by-pitch.

After a scoreless second inning, Herrington connected on his first career home run, a towering blast to left that put the Statesmen up 4-0. 

UNA starter Cody Medley settled in over the next three innings to keep the Statesmen off the scoreboard. 

Leading 4-0 heading into the top of the seventh, the Statesmen tacked on two runs to take a commanding 6-0 lead over the Lions.  Herrington plated Jordan Chovanec with a deep sac-fly to center.  Hinton, who reached on an error, came around after Leal smashed a double to right-center.

Chovanec's RBI single in the top of the eighth to right-center scored Will Robertson to put the Statesmen up 7-0.  Robertson walked to open the inning.

UNA made a pitching change in the ninth, bringing in Bradley Bailey to relieve Medley.  After loading the bases with two outs, the Statesmen couldn't get the hit necessary to add some insurance runs. 

The Statesmen followed suit in the ninth, as Trevor Blocker came on in relief of Manley.  The sophomore from Crystal Springs, Miss., retired the side to preserve the 7-0 victory for Delta State.

Manley, a senior from Raymond, Miss., earned his first win of the season and the 10th of his career after holding a potent North Alabama lineup to just three hits in 8.0 innings of work. The right-hander walked two and struck out five en route to the win.

Medley (1-2) took the loss for UNA after allowing seven runs, six earned, on 10 hits in 8.0 innings on the mound.  The right-hander walked one and struck out one in the loss. 

Chovanec tied his career high with four hits to lead the Statesmen.  The senior from Inez, Texas went 4-for-5 with two stolen bases, a run scored and an RBI. 

Herrington set a career-high with two RBIs after going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.  The senior from Senatobia, Miss., also connected on his first career home run in the third and finished with two extra-base hits. 

Leal finished 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and Velez, who also went 2-for-5, drove in one.       

In game two, the Lions rallied for a 3-1 win to even the series at a game apiece.

The Statesmen once again scored in the first, as Chovanec singled and came around to score on a bases-loaded walk to Leal for a 1-0 lead.

UNA ended a 32-inning conference scoreless streak in the bottom of the first on Dylan Boston's 3-run home run to left off Statesman starter Casey Greene for a 3-1 lead. 

Delta State had opportunities in the second, fourth and fifth innings, but UNA starter Riley Sanderson found a way to end the threat each time to maintain the 3-1 lead. 

Trailing 3-1 in the top of the seventh, Robertson led off the frame with a hit-by-pitch, ending Sanderson's night and bringing in closer Jacob Westerhouse.  The right-handed reliever quickly coaxed a ground out by Hinton, who reached on the fielder's choice as Robertson was retired on the play at second. 

Westerhouse struck out pinch-hitter Taylor Stark for the second out of the inning.  Chovanec laid down a perfectly executed bunt single to put runners at first and second with two down for Benji Sullivan. 

The Statesmen rally fell short, as Sullivan grounded out to the pitcher to end the game. 

Sanderson (2-2) earned his second win of the season after tossing 6.0 innings with four walks and a strikeout.  He allowed one run on four hits in the win.

Westerhouse earned his first save after giving up one hit in the ninth.     
  
Greene (0-1) was saddled with the loss after pitching 2.1 innings in the GSC start.  The junior from Olive Branch, Miss., surrendered the three runs on two hits with a three walks and a strikeout. 

After replacing Greene in the third, reliever Jonathon Moody stretched his scoreless innings streak to 7.1 after working 3.2 innings.  The junior from Millington, Tenn., walked three and struck out two in the appearance. 

Chovanec extended his hitting streak to eight games after leading the Statesmen with two hits in four plate appearances.    

Game three of the series is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at Mike Lane Field.  Ricky Winters (1-0) is slated to start for the Statesmen.  Matt Jones and Keith Latham will have the call starting at 12:45 p.m. with the DSU Alumni Association Statesmen Dugout Report on the Statesmen Sports Network.