JACKSON, Tennessee – The Delta State University softball team earned its fourth consecutive Gulf South Conference series sweep with a 5-3 victory in the series finale against Union University on Sunday at Fesmire Softball Field.
INSIDE THE MATCHUPFinal: Delta State 5, Union 3
Location: Fesmire Softball Field | Jackson, Tenn.
Records: Lady Statesmen (20-4, 12-0) | Lady Bulldogs (5-20, 2-10)
Get Social: @DSUStatesmen | @DSUScores | @DeltaStateSB
HOW IT HAPPENED - Delta State struck first in the top of the second inning when Kara Lane Nowell scored Delta State's first run on an error by Union shortstop Whitney Christian, giving the Lady Statesmen a 1-0 lead.
- A lead-off walk and hit-by-pitch in the top of the third proved costly for Union. Kaitlin Moore walked to start the inning, and the Lady Statesmen loaded the bases when Carah Nunez was hit by a pitch. Nowell singled to drive in Moore and Jordan Jones, giving DSU a 3-0 lead.
- The score remained unchanged until the top of the fifth inning when the Lady Statesmen struck again after Jones doubled to score Madison Zoeller for Delta State's fourth run of the game.
- In the bottom of the fifth, the Lady Bulldogs started to make a comeback when Reagan Schrader smashed a 2-RBI double to center field.
- Pepper Baker's first career home run, a solo shot to left field, in the top of the sixth gave the Lady Statesmen a 5-2 lead, but Union plated another run in the bottom of the inning, making the score 5-3.
- Union posed its greatest threat in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Lady Bulldogs had runners on first and second with just one out, but Rachel Ridolfi hit into a double play to end the contest.
- Starting pitcher Taylor Johnson earned the win to improve to 7-2. In 5.1 innings of work, she allowed three runs on seven hits.
- Taylor Tucker came in relief of Johnson in the bottom of the sixth for the save. In 1.2 innings of work, she allowed just one hit.
- Haley Cummins (1-6) suffered the loss for the Lady Bulldogs. She allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits and three strikeouts.
- Tally and Jones were the only Lady Statesmen with multiple hits. Emily Bennett and Schrader led the Lady Bulldogs at the plate going 2-for-3 and 2-for-4 respectively.
STAT OF THE DAY - DSU won the game despite being outhit 8-7.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE - The 12-0 start in GSC play marks the best start in conference contests since the Lady Statesmen won 11 straight in 2004.
- The Lady Statesmen are currently the only undefeated team in GSC action.
- The win in game three gave the Lady Statesmen their fourth consecutive GSC sweep.
- Tally has reached base safely in all 24 contests.
- DSU won its third contest in which it was outhit.
UP NEXT DSU is scheduled to face the University of Arkansas Monticello at home for a non-conference doubleheader at University Field on Tuesday, March 8. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
