CLEVELAND, Miss. –
Will Robertson,
Ethan Gill and
Ben Pickard each recorded three hits and were responsible for every run produced in Delta State University's 5-4 walk-off victory over Harding University on Sunday afternoon, completing the series sweep.
GAME INFORMATION Score: Statesmen 5, Bisons 4
Records: Delta State (3-0) | Harding (1-5)
Location/Stadium: Cleveland, Miss. | Harvey Stadium
Attendance/Time of Game: 556 | 1:02 p.m.
Weather: 57 degrees, Clear, SW 7 mph wind
HOW IT HAPPENED- A pitcher's duel provided a scoreless game until the bottom of the third when senior Will Robertson connected on a pitch and sent it well over the left field fence for his second long ball of the season, giving the Statesmen a 1-0 advantage.
- A leadoff single from Harding's Grant Guest set the stage for the Bisons' threat in the top of the fifth. A throwing error by Jake Brumfield in a pickoff attempt to first allowed Grant to scamper to third and was later driven in on a single by Zach Beasley. Harding tacked on two more runs on a bases-clearing triple from Zac Stewart to take the 3-1 lead.
- Harding plated another run in the top of the seventh on a Harrison Hunter squeeze play to score Chris Taylor, extending the Bisons' lead to 4-1.
- Delta State mounted a comeback effort in the bottom of the seventh when Ethan Gill connected on a two-RBI single, scoring Erick Santiago and Brandon Cummins. DSU trailed Harding 4-3 with two at-bats left.
- Down to its final at-bat, Robertson sparked Delta State's offense by doubling down the right field line and later moved to third on a Jacob Swiney single to left. Gill came through with his third RBI of the day on an infield single, scoring Robertson and tying the game at 4-4. Ben Pickard picked up the walk-off base hit on a double to left center that scored Swiney, securing the 5-4 win and completing the sweep.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE- After missing the entire 2015 season, Robertson capped off an astounding series going 5-for-12 with four RBIs, including two homeruns.
- The Statesmen are undefeated at the new Tim & Nancy Harvey Stadium at Ferriss Field and 938-269-4 all-time at home.
- Five pitchers made their collegiate debuts in the series against Harding: Dalton Moats, Bryant Johnston, Tre Hobbs, Jacob Howell, and Devontae Wilson.
UP NEXT- Delta State hits the road to face Arkansas-Monticello in mid-week action. The Statesmen take on the Boll Weevils on Tuesday, Feb. 9 starting at 2 p.m.
