Games 20-22: Alabama in Huntsville at Delta State University (3.22-23.14)

Game Times Changed

CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University (13-6, 11-3 GSC) returns home to Ferris Field for a weekend Gulf South Conference series versus Alabama in Huntsville (18-7, 9-3 GSC), looking to eliminate the memory of a 1-1 tie in the only game between the schools in 2013. DSU and UAH are meeting for the 50th time on the diamond with the Statesmen leading the all-time series standings 32-16-1.

STATESMEN GAME DAY INFORMATION
Series Date/Location:	March 22-13, 2014 | Ferriss Field
Game Time:	Saturday DH 12 p.m. | Sunday 2 p.m.
Radio:	Majic 107.5 FM/Cleveland
Rankings:	Delta State (No. 18 - CB Newspaper Top 25) UAH (No. 12 - CB Newspaper Top 25)
Series History:	50th meeting | DSU leads series 32-16-1
Live Audio	GoStatesmen.com
Live Stats:	Live Stats

The No. 18 Statesmen are on a three game winning streak, having taken a non-conference victory at No. 30 Harding on Tuesday after sweeping Union in conference road action last weekend, 10-2 and 4-0. The No. 12 Chargers took 2-of-3 from No. 2 West Florida, including a walk-off victory in the series finale on Sunday.

Senior RHP's Michael Manley and Ricky Winters each earned victories in the current winning streak. Manley (4-0) went seven innings while striking out five batters and scattered just five hits in a 10-2 DSU win in game one at Union. Winters (5-0) kept the Bison offense frustrated in midweek action at Harding after having his start at Union rained out, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Winter went six innings, giving up just one hit and a solo walk while striking out a season-high seven batters in a 3-1 road win. Winters has won all five of his starts this season.

Senior catcher Carlos Leal leads the team with 18 RBI, .381 batting average, .474 on-base percentage.

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 760-233-2 (.764). DSU is nearly unbeatable at Ferriss Field, where the Statesmen are 385-74 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.