GAME NOTES: Delta State University at Arkansas-Monticello (2.26.14) & Valdosta State (3.1-2.14)
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University (5-4, 4-2 GSC) continues a seven-game road swing this weekend with a three-game Gulf South Conference series against Valdosta State University (10-2, 3-2 GSC) in Valdosta, Ga.  Saturday's doubleheader is set for 12 p.m. at Billy Grant Field followed by a single game Sunday at 12 p.m.  DSU and VSU are meeting for the 30th time on the diamond with the Statesmen trailing the all-time series standings 14-15.  VSU took 3-of-7 last season, including 2-of-3 from the Statesmen in regular season action from Valdosta.

STATESMEN GAME DAY INFORMATION
Series Date/Location:	Feb. 26, 2014 | Weevils Field | Monticello, Ark. Mar. 1-2, 2014 | Billy Grant Field | Valdosta, Ga.
Game Time:	Wednesday 2 p.m. Saturday DH 12 p.m. | Sunday 12 p.m.
Radio:	VSU Games: Statesmen Sports Network | James Vallone (PxP)
Rankings:	Delta State (NR - NBCWA Top 25) Arkansas-Monticello (RV- NBCWA Top 25) Valdosta State (No. 24 - NCBWA Top 25)
Series History:	UAM: 82nd meeting | DSU leads series 76-5 VSU: 30th meeting | DSU trails series 14-15
Live Audio - Valdosta Games Only:	http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/dsu.portal#
Live Stats:	Arkansas-Monticello Valdosta State
Live Video:	Arkansas-Monticello Valdosta State

The No. 16 Statesmen are coming off a series victory over the University of North Alabama last weekend in GSC play.  DSU defeated UNA 7-0 in game one and 10-1 in game three, but fell 3-1 in game two.  VSU was swept by No. 2 University of West Florida (10-2, 5-0 GSC).

Senior RHP's Michael Manley and Ricky Winters each earned victories on the road against North Alabama. Manley (1-0) went 8.0 innings while striking out five batters and scattered just three hits in a 7-0 DSU win in game one.  Winters (2-0) kept the Lions offense guessing, going 7.0 innings and giving up just four hits and striking out four batters as DSU won the series finale 10-1.

Dex Herrington, a senior outfielder from Senatobia, Miss., is leading the Statesmen with a .394 batting average and a .606 slugging percentage this season.  For his efforts last week at North Alabama, Herrington was named GSC Player of the Week.

Senior catcher Carlos Leal has a pair of doubles with nine hits and leads the team with 8 RBI.

The Statesmen baseball team was picked to finish first for the second year in a row in the annual Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.  DSU picked 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 (CF), Kasey Hinton (2B), Carlos Leal (C), Michael Manley (RHP), and Taylor Stark (RHP).

Coach Mike Kinnison is in his 18th season as head coach of the Statesmen.  Since 1997, Kinnison has accomplished an unbelievable career record of 752-231-2 (.763).  DSU is nearly unbeatable at Ferriss Field, where the Statesmen are 382-73 under Kinnison's direction.

Delta State will be recognizing the 10th anniversary of its 2004 NCAA Division II National Championship later this spring.  In 2004, the Statesmen defeated Grand Valley State, 12-8, at Patterson Field in Montgomery, Ala. for the title.   

UP NEXT
Delta State will travel to Arkansas-Monticello (12-3) for a single game on Feb. 26 (2 p.m.) before heading to Valdosta State for a three-game series.  DSU leads the all-time series 76-5 as the prepare for the 82nd meeting.