CARROLLTON, Ga. – Josh Russell and
Zack Shannon combined for 12 RBIs to help No. 1/2 Delta State University (16-1, 8-0 GSC) sweep a doubleheader from No. 20 West Georgia (14-5, 4-4 GSC) on Saturday at Cole Field. The Statesmen captured a 16-6 win in eight innings in game one and used a 12-run third to win 12-3 in the nightcap.
GM 1 Score: #1/2 Delta State 16 | West Georgia 5 (8)
GM 2 Score: #1/2 Delta State 12 | West Georgia 3
Date/Time: Sat., March 9, 2018
GM 1 Start 12:00 p.m. (CT)
| GM 2 Start 4:46 p.m. (CT)
GM 1 TOG: 3:14
GM 2 TOG: 2:34
Location: Carrolton, Ga. | Cole Field
Records: Statesmen 16-1, 8-0 GSC | Wolves 14-5, 4-4 GSC
Series: Delta State leads 25-9 | 21-6 under
Mike Kinnison
GM 1 HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Statesmen grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second.
Zack Shannon drew a walk to lead off the inning after an error and
Nick Morgan single, scored on a
Juwan Burney sac-fly.
• A three-run third gave the Statesmen a 4-0 lead.
Jason Popovich and
Emil Ellis singled to start the frame and with one out Shannon was intentionally walked. With two outs,
Josh Russell singled down the right-field line to scored Popovich and Ellis and Burney singled home Shannon.
• Price Peters tripled and scored on a Tucker Breen single and Logan Taylor had a two-RBI single to cut the Statesmen lead to 4-3.
• The Green-and-White got a run back in the fourth when Popovich singled and scored on an Ellis double to left center.
• A four-run sixth extended the DSU lead to 9-3. The innings started when Ellis reached on an error followed by walks to
Brian Lane and Shannon to load the bases.
Clay Casey's sac-fly scored Ellis and Russell doubled home Lane and Shannon.
• Peters hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the seventh only to see the inning end with a pair of fly outs to center with the Statesmen leading 9-4.
• Seven runs crossed the plate for the Statesmen in the eighth for a 16-4 advantage. Casey belted a solo home run and Shannon had a two-run home run.
David Herrington and Nussbaum each had RBI singles and Ellis delivered an RBI double. Lane picked up an RBI when Nussbaum scored on his ground out.
• A Peters RBI single scored Taylor to close the game one scoring.
GM 1 ON THE MOUND
•
Seth Birdsong (3-1) went seven str0ong innings with six strikeouts, no walks while yielding four runs on nine hits to earn the win.
• Wes Bucher (5-1) allowed five runs, four earned, on eight hits with a strikeout as the pitcher of record for the Wolves
.
GM 2 HOW IT HAPPENED
• Shannon had an RBI single and a three-run home run to highlight a 12-run, 10-hit third that helps the Statesmen breakout to a 12-0 lead. Russell chipped in a two-run singled while Popovich, Burney, and Lane had run-scoring singles.
• Brady Barnes singled to plate UWG's first run of the game and make the score 12-1 in the fourth.
• The Wolves drew a pair of bases-loaded walks to cut the lead to 12-3 in the sixth.
GM 2 ON THE MOUND
•
Dalton Minton (3-0) struck out seven and walked seven and gave up two runs on three hits in 6.1 innings to earn the win.
• Greyson McLeod (1-1) was touched up for eight runs on eight hits and struck out two in 2.2 innings as the pitcher of record for UWG.
NOTABLES
• Shannon hit two home runs to move into fifth all-time in DSU history, passing Jason Cochran (1998-99) and John Edwards (1980-83) with 31.
• The Statesmen have scored double-digit runs 10 time this season after plating 16 runs in game one and 12 runs in game two.
• The Statesmen pounded our double-figure hits in both games and have accomplished the task 13 times this season. DSU had 18 hits in game one and 12 hits in the nightcap.
• Ellis was 4-for-6 with three runs scored, two RBI and a double and Burney was 4-for-4 with three-RBIs to lead the Statesmen in game one.
• Russell had a double and a team-high four RBIs and Morgan was 2-for-3.
• Shannon drew four walks and scored four runs with two RBIs.
• Nine of the Statesmen's 12 runs in the third inning of game two came with two outs.
• Shannon went 3-for-4 with four RBIs for DSU in game two.
• Russell went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Lane went 2-for-2 with two RBIs.
• The two wins give head coach
Mike Kinnison 913 (913-289-2) career coaching wins.
• The game one win was the 600th Gulf South Conference for Statesmen and are now are 601-217-1 all-time in conference play after the doubleheader sweep
.
UP NEXT
• Delta State and West Georgia wrap up the three-game set with a single game on Saturday 11 a.m. (CT)