ARKADELPHIA, Ark. -- The Delta State University softball team got a 5-3 win in game two as the Lady Statesmen split a doubleheader to open the 2021 season against Henderson State University on Friday afternoon at Dee White Field.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final (GM1): Henderson State 3 | Delta State 2
Final (GM2): Delta State 5 | Henderson State 3
Location: Dee White Field
Records: Delta State (1-1) | Henderson State (1-1)
Get Social: @DeltaStateSB

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM1)

• The Lady Statesmen took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the third after the junior Hope Harbin scored on a fielder choice. 
• Delta State had a chance to expand its lead in the top of the sixth after loading the bases with one out, but Leann Beasly struck out two DSU batters back-to-back to end the frame.
• Czoey White tied the game at 1-1 after she homered for Henderson State in the bottom of the sixth with two outs.  
• DSU took back the lead in the top of the eighth after Julie Schuermann drove in Katelyn Hayman with a double to right-center.
• Henderson State would go on to take game one in extra innings, plating two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Kailey Reese drove in the first run with a double down the right-field line. Abbie Moore plated the winning run with an RBI single to right field. 

ON THE MOUND (GM1)

• Olivia Burns (0-1) made the opening day start for Delta State. Burns gave up three runs, one earned, off of five hits, but worked seven innings and struck out three.
• Mallory Brewer started for the Reddies. Brewer pitched 5.1 innings and gave up one run off four hits and struck out seven. 
• Leann Beasley (1-0) earned the win for HSU after relieving Brewer in the top of the sixth. Beasley gave up one run and struck out four. 

NOTABLES (GM1)

• Hope Harbin and Katelyn Hayman both recorded their first career hits as Lady Statesmen in game one.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM2)

• Henderson State was first on the board in the first after plating two. Abbie Moore's homerun plated the first run of the inning, while Kaitlyn O'Quinn scored the second run after an error.
• Delta State answered back in the top of the second thanks to Jaclyn Deason's RBI double to left-center. 
• Kailey Reese added to HSU's lead in the bottom of the second with an RBI single down the left-field line to make it 3-1.
• The Lady Statesmen plated another run in the top of the fourth to cut the HSU lead to 3-2. Deason brought home a run with an RBI single.
• Delta State took the lead in the top of the fifth. Summer Cryder plated the first two runs with a two-run homer, and Olivia Burns drove the next run home with a solo homer of her own to help DSU win 5-3. 

ON THE MOUND (GM2)

• Lacey Coats (1-0) made her first career start for the Lady Statesmen. Coats picked up the win after throwing a complete game. She gave up three runs off six hits. Coats also struck out five batters. 
• Becca Almond (0-1) started game two for Henderson State. Almond allowed five runs on seven hits. 
• Krystal Lindsey relieved Almond in the top of the sixth. Lindsey allowed no runs or hits during her outing. 

NOTABLES (GM2)

• Deason and Griggers both had multi-hit games, each collecting two hits. Deason had two RBIs while Griggers scored two runs. 
• Burns and Cryder both hit their first home runs of the season. 

UP NEXT

Delta State is back in action tomorrow as they travel to Magnolia, Ark. to take on Southern Arkansas University in a double-header. Game one is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. with game two following afterward.