HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Delta State Baseball started a new GSC series Saturday afternoon against Alabama-Huntsville. The Statesmen fell in game one, but responded in a big way in game two to even the series before tomorrow's rubber match.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final Game One: Delta State 2 | Alabama-Huntsville 12 (F/8)
Final Game Two: Delta State 8 | Alabama-Huntsville 5
Records: Statesmen (13-9, 6-2 GSC) | Chargers (13-9, 2-6 GSC)
Location: Huntsville, AL | Charger Park
Get Social: @DeltaStateBSB
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One
- Delta State picked up the first hit of the game in the first after a leadoff single by Wes Warnock. Huntsville scored three runs on three hits and an error in the bottom of the first. 3-0 UAH after one.
- The Statesmen went in order in the top of the second as the Chargers scored two more runs on three hits and an error and stranded the bases loaded. 5-0 UAH after two.
- DSU went in order again in the top of the third. Alabama-Huntsville pushed another run across on a sac groundout. 6-0 UAH after three.
- Brett Burrell picked up a DSU hit in the fourth as the Chargers stranded a runner. DSU found the scoreboard in the fifth after a two-run homer by Matthew Nichols scored Hayden Cooper, who reached on a single. UAH answered with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth. 8-2 UAH after five.
- Both teams went in order in the sixth. DSU sent three to the plate in the top of the seventh. UAH scored two more runs on two hits and an error. 10-2 UAH after seven.
- Burrell picked up another DSU hit in the top of the eighth. UAH scored two more after loading the bases with no outs. The two runs activated the GSC run rule to end the game. 12-2 UAH Final.
Game Two
- Clay Cook an RBI single to lead the first and moved to third when Brendan McCauley reached on a bunt. Cook stole home when McCauley created some confusion as he stole second. UAH fell in order in the first. 1-0 Delta State after one.
- Braiden Jones hit a solo home run for the Statesmen in the second. UAH picked up their first hit in the second, but stranded the runner. 2-0 Delta State after two.
- Cook drew a walk to lead the third. McCauley laid down a bunt and a throwing error by the UAH pitcher allowed him to go to third as Cook scored. Burrell hit a sac fly to center to score McCauley. Dylan Coleman turned on a pitch to send it over the left field wall and extend the DSU lead. UAH fell in order. 5-0 Delta State after three.
- Cook picked up another hit with two outs in the top of the fourth. UAH had a runner at third with two outs, but a groundout to McCauley ended the threat. DSU went in order in the fifth as UAH stranded two in scoring position. Hayden Cooper and Jones singled to lead the sixth. Matthew Martinolich singled to right-center to score Cooper and move Jones to third with no outs. Matthew Nichols hit an infield single to score Jones. Nichols stole second with two outs, and Martinolich scored after a throw from the catcher to second base. The Chargers plated five runs on four hits and two errors. 8-5 Delta State after six.
- The Statesmen went in order in the seventh. The first two Chargers reached base safely in the bottom of the seventh, but a strikeout and a 4-6-3 double play ended the threat and the game to even the series. 8-5 Delta State final.
On The Mound
- Game one starter Drake Fontenot pitched 4.0 innings, allowing 7 runs (4 earned) on 9 hits with 4 Ks and 1 walk.
- Christian Clayson pitched 2.0 innings of relief in game one. He allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits, 2 Ks, and a walk.
- Jackson Wilson pitched 1.0 inning, allowing 2 earned runs on one hit with a walk.
- Hammer Franks faced three batters and allowed two hits.
- Game two starter Logan Eldridge pitched 5.2 innings, allowing 5 runs (4 ER) on 7 hits. He struck out 4 with 1 walk.
- Noah Magee faced three batters, allowing two hits.
- Logan Cromer faced the final two batters of the game, recording a strikeout and forcing a game-ending double play.
UP NEXT
Statesmen Baseball wraps up the series against the Chargers tomorrow afternoon. First pitch on Sunday, March 10, from Huntsville is scheduled for 1:00 pm.