CLEVELAND, Mississippi – The Delta State softball rallied back to defeat Union University 16-6 and earn its first Gulf South Conference series sweep of the season on March 5, 2017, at University Field in Cleveland, Miss.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Delta State 16 | Union 6
Location: University Field | Cleveland, Miss.
Records: Delta State (10-10, 4-5 GSC) | Union (11-8, 3-6 GSC)
Get Social: @DeltaStateSB
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A pair of RBI singles in the top of the first gave Union a 2-0 lead over Delta State.
- In the bottom of the first, Jordan Jones scored on a sac fly by Carah Nunez, cutting the Lady Bulldogs' lead 2-1. Delta State took the lead when Madison Zoeller singled and advanced to second on the error, scoring Kory Watterson and Mari Alex Sandridge.
- The Lady Bulldogs were quick to respond, loading the bases in the top of the second. Paige Robertson's RBI single tied the game 3-3. Haley Cummings drove in Ashley Scott to give Union a 4-3 lead. With the bases still loaded, Taylor Tucker was called in the circle to relieve starting pitcher Taylor Johnson. Hailey Barnette flied out to finally end the threat.
- But in the bottom of the second, Jones tied the game 4-4 with an RBI single that plated Olivia Dick.
- The score remained deadlocked until the top of the fourth when Union pulled ahead, 5-4, when LaDesha Nelson scored on a sac fly.
- The Lady Statesmen rallied back in the bottom of the fourth beginning when Kory Watterson singled to left center, scoring Dick for the tying run. With bases loaded, Nunez singled, plating Jones for Delta State's sixth run. RBI singles from Zoeller and Chelsea Lamping put Delta State up 8-5. With bases still loaded, Carlie Vice was hit by a pitch, driving home Hannah Salmon for DSU's ninth run. In her second at-bat of the inning, Dick singled up the middle to score Zoeller. A pair of RBI singles from Gibson and Jones increased the score 12-5. Sandridge walked with bases loaded, bringing home Dick for the 13th run. Gibson then scored the 10th run of the inning and 14th of the game on an RBI single by Nunez. Jones scored the 15th run on a bases-loaded walk. Colben Patin also drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Sandridge's 16th run and final run of the inning.
- In the top of the fifth, Barnette scored on a wild pitch, but the mercy rule kicked in, ending the game, 16-6.
- Tucker (2-2) earned the win in relief. In 3.1 innings of work, she allowed only two runs on two hits. Johnson allowed four runs, all earned, on six hits to receive a no-decision.
- Starting pitcher Gabby Morris suffered the loss. In 3.2 innings, she gave up 10 runs, nine earned, on 10 hits, while striking out seven.
- Barnette, Cummings, and Scott led the Lady Bulldogs at the plate, combining for five of Union's eight hits and three of Union's six runs.
- At the plate for Delta State, Jones led the Lady Statesmen going 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Dick and Zoeller were both 2-for-2.
STAT OF THE DAY
- Delta State scored 12 runs in the fourth inning.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
- Delta State leads the series 10-6.
- The Lady Statesmen set a season-high of 16 runs and 15 RBIs.
- The 16 runs and 15 RBIs are also the second most in a GSC game this season.
- Delta State's eight walks tied the most for a single game this season. The last time the Lady Statesmen drew eight walks was against Montevallo on Feb. 12, 2017.
- The Lady Statesmen tallied 13 hits, tying the second most for a single game this season.
- Madison Zoeller, Carah Nunez, and Jordan Jones each had multi-RBIs.
- Sandridge has reached base safely in the past 16 contests.
- Overall, Tucker currently ranks ninth in school history in career wins (30) and 10th in games pitched (82).
- Jones and Dick scored a game-high three runs apiece.
- Patin and Smith earned their first career RBIs as Lady Statesmen.
- With today's win, the Lady Statesmen jump to seventh in the GSC standings after being ranked 11th last week.
UP NEXT
DSU continues its home stand with a three-game series against Gulf South Conference rival West Georgia beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 11.
