CLEVELAND, Miss. – Brian Lane belted two-home runs and drove in four runs to lead No. 6/8 Delta State University (24-6, 14-3 GSC) to a 12-2 Gulf South Conference win Christian Brothers (9-24, 3-15 GSC) on Saturday at Harvey Stadium-Ferriss Field.
David Herrington and Lane belted home runs to highlight a five-run eighth to end the game under the NCAA Mercy Rule. Senior
Nick Morgan went 3-for-4 with an RBI to help the Statesmen's winning cause.
Score: #6 Delta State 12 | Christian Brothers 2
Date/Time: Sat., March 31, 2018
Start: 2:01 p.m. |
TOG: 2:47
Location: Cleveland, Miss. | Harvey Stadium-Ferriss Field
Records: Statesmen 24-6, 14-3 GSC | Bucs 9-24, 3-15 GSC
Series: Statesmen lead series 92-10, 60-2 under
Mike Kinnison
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Statesmen got a pair of runs in the third inning to break the scoreless game. Justin Nussbaum led off with a single and Emil Ellis followed with a one-out single. Brian Lane's single through the right side scored Nussbaum and Ellis scored on a Shannon groundout.
- CBU put two runners on base in the top of the fourth but starter Melvin Frazier struck out Larry Hubbard looking to end the inning.
- The Statesmen added to their lead with a three-run fifth. Lane walked and Casey singled with two outs to start the rally Lane would score on a Morgan RBI-single. Casey scored on a wild pitch and Morgan scored on a fielding error.
- CBU got an RBI double from Parker Jordan and a Larry Hubbard sac-fly to cut the Statesmen lead to 5-2 in the sixth.
- Ellis drew a one-out and Lane followed with his sixth home run of the season to extend the lead to 7-2 in the bottom of the sixth.
- The Statesmen scored five runs in the eighth to lead 12-2 and end the game under the NCAA Mercy Rule. David Herrington hit a two-run home run followed by a solo long ball from Lane. Shannon reached on an error and Casey doubled to right field to set up pinch-hit RBI singles by Darek Sargent and Jamell Newson.
ON THE MOUND
- DSU starter Melvin Frazier (5-0) worked four scoreless innings with five strikeouts against two walks while scattering three hits to earn the win.
- Gil Erwin (0-6) gave up five runs, four earned, on seven hits with three strikeouts and four walks.
- Tyler Walton pitched two scoreless innings and allowed just two hits to close out the game.
NOTABLES
- The Statesmen clubbed three home runs marking their 15th multi-home run game and the seventh time with three-plus home runs.
- Herrington's two-run home run in the eighth was his first career home run as a Statesmen.
- Lane finished 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs and Morgan was 3-for-4 with a stolen base to lead DSU at the plate.
- Casey went 2-for-5 with two runs scored as the only other Statesmen with more than one hit.
- The Statesmen improved to 21-2 when leading after six innings in the doubleheader.
- The Statesmen finished with 15 hits for their 20th double figure hit game this season.
UP NEXT
Delta State hosts Arkansas-Monticello at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Harvey Stadium-Ferriss Field.
