GAME NOTES: Delta State (1-3, 0-0 GSC) at West Alabama (3-3, 0-0 GSC)
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University (1-3, 0-0 GSC) opens Gulf South Conference play this weekend at the University of West Alabama (3-3, 0-0 GSC). Saturday's doubleheader is slated for a 2 p.m. first pitch at Tartt Field in Livingston, Ala. The Statesmen lead the all-time series with the Tigers 84-36. DSU's last trip to Livingston, Ala., came during the 2010 season, with the Statesmen sweeping the Tigers 15-4, 9-3, and 4-2. Delta State took 2-of-3 from UWA last season, winning games one and three by scores of 5-2 at Ferriss Field. The Tigers took game two of the series 7-1.

The three-game series will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network beginning Saturday at 1:45 p.m. on GoStatesmen.com. Sunday's series finale will air on WMJW 107.5 FM and GoStatesmen.com beginning at 12:45 p.m. Scott Wyant and Keith Latham will have the call.

 
Picked to Win the GSC: Despite losing six position players and five key contributing pitchers, Delta State was again dubbed the top choice as the Statesmen will enter 2015 as the No. 1 team (77 points).  Alabama Huntsville, the 2014 GSC Tournament Champions, garnered three first-place votes and was tabbed second (72 points). West Florida rounded out the Top 3 with 66 points; followed by, Valdosta State (58 points), West Alabama, with 48 points, North Alabama (45 points), West Georgia (33 points), newcomers Shorter (23 points) and Union (18 points) and Christian Brothers, with 10 points.

Sunshine State Woes: The Statesmen set a dubious record last weekend at Nova Southeastern University, becoming the first club in the Mike Kinnison Era to start a season 0-3. After losing game one 10-3 to the Sharks, the Statesmen dropped back-to-back one-run games, 3-2 and 1-0 to seal the sweep. Despite out-hitting the Sharks 22-14, Delta State could not muster the much-needed hit when necessary and left a whopping 24 runners on base in the series.

Milligan Off to Fast Start: Senior lefthanded pitcher Drew Milligan (0-0, 0.00 ERA) threw well in his season debut, despite not factoring in the decision. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound lefty tossed 6.1 innings Saturday, allowing two hits and an unearned run in a 3-2 loss at Nova SE. The Olive Branch native walked two and a career-high eight strikeouts.

Pickard's Power: Junior C/1B Ben Pickard went 5-for-6 at the plate with a home run and a career-high five RBIs to lead Delta State to a 14-8 victory over the University of Arkansas-Monticello on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The victory was the first of the season for DSU.

Swing Low: Delta State pitchers are holding opponents to a .191 batting average this season.   
               
Up Next: Delta State returns to Ferriss Field for a four-game home stand, including the home opener Wednesday, Feb. 18 versus Harding at 3 p.m. The Statesmen will also welcome the University of North Alabama for a three-game Gulf South Conference series on Saturday, Feb. 21 (12 p.m./DH) and Sunday, Feb. 22 (2 p.m.).