GAME NOTES vs. Union University (3.15.15)
 
CLEVELAND, Mississippi –  Delta  State University's Gulf South Conference baseball series against Union University has been changed to Sunday and Monday due to rain in the Cleveland area.  The teams will play a doubleheader at 1 p.m. on Sunday and a single game on Monday at 2 p.m. at Dave "Boo" Ferriss Field.
 

Game Day Information	Delta State (2-8, 1-4 GSC) vs. Union University (3-15, 2-10 GSC)
Series Information	Sunday (DH) at 1 p.m. | Monday at 2 p.m.
Media Coverage	Live Stats | Live Audio
Radio	Majic 107.5 | Matt Jones (PBP)
Game Notes	Statesmen vs. Union Game Notes (PDF)

 
THE LEAD
Delta State University (2-8, 1-4 GSC) hosts its first Gulf South Conference series this weekend against Union University (3-15, 2-10 GSC). Sunday's doubleheader is slated for a 1 p.m. first pitch and Monday's single game is a 1 p.m. start at Dave "Boo" Ferriss Field in Cleveland, Mississippi. The Statesmen lead the all-time series with the Bulldogs 25-10. The Statesmen have won six straight in the series dating back to an 18-4 loss at Union in 2004. Delta State posted a 43-6 record following the loss en route to claiming the 2004 NCAA Division II Baseball National Championship. At 2-8, The Statesmen are off to their the slowest start since starting the 1970 season 2-6-1.

HOME AT LAST
 Wednesday's Southern Arkansas game was the first home opener for the Statesmen in the month of March. The Statesmen have canceled or rescheduled 17 games, including seven GSC contests, due to rain and snow during the first month of the 2015 season. Counting the Union series, the Statesmen have 16 home games left in the 2015 season which will mark the second straight season and 11th time overall the Statesmen have played less than 20 games at Ferriss Field.  The mark for the fewest home games is 11 (7-4) in 1964 (First Year At Ferriss Field) while the most home games is 40 (32-8) in 1988. 

DOUBLE DOWN
Junior centerfielder Brandon Cummins went 3-for-5 with three doubles and two-RBIs against Southern Arkansas on Wednesday. Cummins three doubles fell one double shy of tying the school record for two-baggers in a game. Macus Van Every set the record against Nichols State in 2001. Cummins leads the Statesmen with a .341 average and 10 runs scored and is second on the team with three doubles.

LAST TIME OUT
Southern Arkansas scored two runs in the seventh inning to overcome a 5-4 deficit and earn a 6-5 win over Delta State University on Wednesday at Ferris Field. The Statesmen put the tying run in scoring position in the eighth and ninth innings, including loading the bases in the ninth before ground outs ended both threats.
 
DEUCES WILD
The two hole has been the place to hit for the Statesmen in 2015.  Second baseman Trent Giambrone occupied the spot for the first seven games, hitting .375 (9-for-24) with five hits, one home run and four RBIs before being elevated to the leadoff role. Giambrone also slugged .500 and had a .464 on base percentage. Centerfielder Brandon Cummins as occupied the spot the last three games after leading off the first seven games. Cummins is batting .417 (5-for-12) with five runs scored and four RBI while slugging .667 with a .467 on base percentage. Cummins also leads the Statesmen with six muli-hit games this season.
 
MOODY RETURNS TO FORM
Senior right-handed pitcher Jonathon Moody tossed 2.1 scoreless innings against Southern Arkansas on Wednesday. Moody did not allow a hit or yield a walk with one strikeout in his first relief outing of the season.  Moody was 0-1 with a 7.94 ERA, allowing 15 earned runs with 15 strikeouts and eight walks in his first three outings.
 
MILLIGAN DSU's K FACTOR
Drew Milligan is averaging 1.13 strikeouts per inning, striking out 24 in 21 innings of work. The senior lefty has a 3.4 strikeout to walk ratio. He had a season-high eight strikeouts against Nova Southeastern (2.7.2015) and seven against West Alabama (2.15.15).
 
RBI LEADERS
Juniors Ethan Gill and Ben Pickard are the Statesmen RBI leaders. Gill has a team-high 10 RBI driving a season-high three RBI against West Alabama (2.14.15). Pickard follows with seven, which includes a season-high five RBIs against Arkansas-Monticello (2.11.15). Catcher Matt Barrett and Tren Giambrone are tied for third with five RBIs.  Statesmen newcomers have 26 of the Statesmen's 46 RBIs this season.
 
STREAKING STATESMEN
Trent Giambrone and Landon Thibodeaux have reached base safely in 10 consecutive games entering the Union series. Ethan Gill has a seven-game hitting streak and is tied with Colton Welch with two games with multiple-RBIs.
 
GREEN AND WHITE POWER
Delta State has hit six home runs through10 games this season as compared to three home runs through 10 games in 2014.  Marc McMillian leads the Statesmen with two home runs followed by Matt Barrett, Trent Giambrone, Ben Pickard, and Colton Welch.  McMillan's home runs came in DSU's 4-3 win over West Alabama (2.5.15) and his solo home run gave DSU a 2-1 lead in the seventh of game two versus Valdosta State (3.1.15).  Pickard's home run and five RBIs came in DSU's 14-8 win over Arkansas-Monticello (2.11.15).
 
STRANDED STATESMEN
Delta State has left 88 runners on base through 10 that includes 44 runners in scoring position. Delta State left 10 men on base, six in scoring position last time out against SAU.
 
ITS ALL ABOUT THE NUMBERS
The Statesmen have canceled or rescheduled 17 games, seven GSC contests, due to rain and snow this season.  Including the Union series changes, the Green and White Athletic Communications staff has produced 13 weather or schedule change releases to seven game recaps for baseball.
 
STATESMEN GET FIRST WIN OF SEASON AT UAM
Ben Pickard went 5-for-6 with a home run and five RBIs to lead the No. 30 Statesmen (1-3) to a 14-8 victory at Arkansas-Monticello on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Weevil Field.
 
KINNISON CHASING 800
Delta State University head baseball coach Mike Kinnison, a member of the MS Sports Hall of Fame, joined the 750-win club last season.  The former All-American shortstop at Delta State picked up his 750th career in a 5-2 victory over West Alabama (2.15.14).  In 19 seasons as head coach, the Benton, Miss., native is 787-248-2. He needs just 13 wins this season to top 800 for his career.
 
ROAD WARRIORS
The Statesmen traveled more than 3,000 miles in the first three weeks of the season, playing the first nine games on the road before hosting SAU on Wednesday. In all, DSU is set to travel almost 6,000 miles this season.
 
MAMA, I'M COMING HOME
With the departure of long-time assistant coach Rodney Batts to Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, Mike Kinnison turned to former Statesman All-American shortstop Eric Patten to fill the vacancy. Patten, a four-year letterman and starter for the Statesmen, helped DSU claim two conference titles and the 2004 NCAA Division II National Championship during his playing days.
 
After graduating with two degrees from DSU, Patten embarked on a coaching career that ultimately led him to Jones Junior College, where he helped JCJC to an appearance in the NJCCAA National Tournament in 2014. He has also served as a graduate assistant at DSU.
 
Patten will work with the infielders and serve as the hitting instructor. He still ranks in DSU's career top 10 in runs scored (231/2nd), hits (274/3rd), games played (218/3rd), and triples (11/3rd).
 
UP NEXT
Delta State travels to Stillman College for single game in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Wednesday, March 18 at 3 p.m. The Statesmen return to GSC play against Alabama-Huntsvlle on Saturday, March 21 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, March 22 at 1 p.m. in Huntsville, Alabama.