RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. –  Clay Casey had a home run and five RBIs to help No. 5 Delta State University (31-7) hold off Arkansas Tech University (26-15) for a 25-16 win on Tuesday night at Tech Field.

The Statesmen scored 25 runs on a season-high 25 hits as the Wonder Boys rally from a 16-4 deficit ultimately fell short.  

Jason Popovich went 5-for-8 with two doubles and Casey finished 3-for-5 with five RBIs. Matt Majeur went 3-for-4 with three RBIs.

Score: #5 Delta State 25 | Arkansas Tech 16
Start: 7:02 p.m. | TOG: 4:02
Date/Time: Tues., April 17, 2018
Location: Russellville, Ark. | Tech Field
Records: Statesmen 31-7 | Wonder Boys 26-15
Series: Statesmen lead the series 50-10

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Delta State scored five runs on four hits before an out was recorded to take a 5-0 lead in the top of the first. Jason Popovich and Emil Ellis singled to start the inning. Ellis and Popovich moved up a base on a wild pitch and came home on a Brian Lane single up the middle. Shannon, who walked, and Lane trotted home on a Clay Casey home run to left field.
• The Wonder Boys got a run back in the bottom of the first. Britt Stroth singled and scored when Riley Hickerson reached on a fielder's choice.
• A leadoff double to left center by Popovich got the top of the second going for the Statesmen. Popovich advanced to third on a fly out and crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
• The DSU lead increased to 11-1 with a five-run third inning. Popovich and Ellis registered RBIs when they reached fielder's choice and two runs scored on a Casey single to left. Matt Majeur walked and scored on a wild pitch.
• Morgan notched a three-run home run in the fifth to give the Statesmen a 15-1 lead in the fifth.
• Riley Hickerson's two-run triple highlighted a three-run ATU fifth to close the gap to 15-4.
• Land doubled to lead off the sixth followed by a Shannon single and a walk to Casey. Lane came home on a Matt Majeur sac-fly to make the score 16-4.
• ATU tallied seven runs in the sixth to cut the DSU lead down to 16-11. Harry Gard had a two-run single and Hickerson drove in two runs on a double. A run scored on a Kyle Gibbs sac-fly two runs scored on an error.
• The Statesmen answered with three runs in the top of the eight to stretch the lead to 19-11. Lane single and pinch-runner Juwan Burney came home off a single by Majeur single. Majeur and Jake Barlow, who doubled, scored on a Josh Russell single.
• A Seth Wheeler two-run single highlighted a four-run ATU eighth that cut the DSU lead to 19-15.
• The Statesmen added six runs in the top of the ninth to take a 25-15 lead. David Herrington led off the top of the ninth with a solo home run while Barlow, Majeur and Nussbaum each had RBI singles.

ON THE MOUND

• Seth Hougesen (2-0) worked three scheduled innings, allowing one run while scattering four hits with three strikeouts to earn the win.
• Degan Harte (3-3) had two strikeouts but surrendered 11 runs on seven hits with four walks and six wild pitches over 2.2 innings.

NOTABLES

• The Statesmen have scored at least one run in the first inning in seven straight games.
• Casey clubbed his 11^th home run of the season and 28^th career round-tripper in the first inning, moving him into a tie for seventh on the career home runs list with Ronald Davis (1979-82) and Mike Moore (1983-84).
• Popovich went 5-for-8 with two doubles to pace the Statesmen.
• Casey finished 3-for-5 with five RBIs and Majeur went 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
• Shannon, Morgan, Barlow and Nussbaum had two hits apiece.
• The Statesmen belted three home runs, recording their 18^th multiple home run game this season.
• Herrington and Morgan connected on their second home runs of the season.
• The season-high 25 hits marked the third time the Statesmen had 20-plus hits in a game, eclipsing 21 hits against Nova Southeastern (2.3) and Southern Arkansas (3.27).
• The 25 runs scored fell one shy of the season-high 26 runs set against Southern Arkansas (3.27).

UP NEXT
Delta State and Arkansas Tech wrap up the two-game midweek series on Wednesday at 2 p.m.