CLEVELAND, Mississippi – The Delta State University softball team used a grand slam home run in each game to sweep a Gulf South Conference doubleheader from in-state rival Mississippi College on Saturday at University Field. The Lady Statesmen came back to win 6-4 in game one, and led the entire way in an 11-6 victory in the nightcap.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final (GM1): Delta State 6, Mississippi College 4
Final (GM2): Delta State 11, Mississippi College 6
Location: University Field | Cleveland, Miss.
Records: Lady Statesmen (9-3, 2-0) | MC (4-4, 0-2)
Get Social: @DSUStatesmen | @DSUScores | @DeltaStateSB
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
 

• MC struck for two runs in the top of the first, using an RBI single by Ty Buckley and a sacrifice fly by Kristen Qualls.  
• The Lady Statesmen tied the game in the bottom of the second when Madison Zoeller hit her third two-run homer of the season.
• Qualls gave the visitors a 4-2 lead in the fifth with a two-run home run to left field.
• After MC pitcher Penny Nichols retired seven straight batters, Kaitlin Moore led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a double. Following a walk, a single and a fielder's choice, Kara Lane Nowell hit her first career home run, a grand slam, to left field.
• Relief pitcher Taylor Tucker (3-0) retired the side in order in the top of the seventh. Tucker struck out three and did not allow a hit in 2.1 innings of relief.
• Katie Justice allowed four runs on seven hits, with six walks, in 4.2 innings.
• Nichols allowed six runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
• Morgan Kazerooni (2-for-3) was the only DSU player with multiple hits.

 
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 2
 

• The Lady Statesmen opened the scoring in the bottom of the first with three runs, as Abi Gibson and Zoeller had RBI singles, and Jordan Jones recorded an RBI groundout.
• DSU tacked on six more in the bottom of the second on a two-RBI single by Moore and the first career home run, a grand slam, to left field by Chelsea Lamping.
• MC responded with four runs in the third on a trio of singles and a fielder's choice.
• Jones drove in the last runs of the game for the Lady Statesmen in the bottom of the inning on a two-RBI single up the middle.
• The Lady Choctaws scored their final runs of the game on an RBI single and a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth.  
• Tucker (4-0) allowed six runs, three earned, on 11 hits with three strikeouts and two walks.
• Three MC pitchers allowed six earned runs on 13 hits with four walks and three strikeouts.
• Moore recorded three hits in four at-bats to lead DSU. Lamping, Jones and Kristen Mitchell had two hits apiece.

 
 
STAT OF THE DAY
 

• DSU hit three home runs, including two grand slams.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
 

• DSU has scored first in all but two games this season.
• The Lady Statesmen have started 2-0 in the GSC for the second straight season.
• DSU scored a combined six runs with two outs in the doubleheader.
• Since modern records have been kept (1994), DSU is 23-0 in home-openers, including 8-0 under current head coach, Casey Charles.
• With her single in the bottom of the first in game two, Kassidy Tally recorded her 201st career hit.

UP NEXT
 

• DSU will wrap up its series with the Lady Choctaws with a single game on Sunday, Feb. 14. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.