CLEVELAND, Miss. – Head Baseball Coach Rodney Batts invites baseball fans to the Second Annual First Pitch Dinner scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in the Jacob Conference Center inside James M. Ewing Hall on Delta State's campus.

The highlight of the event will be hearing from special guest Jeremy McClain, All American pitcher for the Statesmen from 1996-99 and current Director of Athletics at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Prior to his time at Southern Miss, McClain served as Director of Athletics at Troy University after a five-year stint as AD at Delta State beginning in 2007. While at Delta State, McClain developed a plan to increase student-athlete services increased donations to the school's athletic department, helping secure funding for the first phase of DSU's Athletic Master Plan.

Delta State's on-field successes also increased under McClain. During his tenure, the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen claimed seven Gulf South Conference championships, five NCAA Regional crowns and 21 NCAA postseason appearances. In 2010, the football team appeared in the NCAA Division II National Championship Game and in 2012 the baseball team earned a runner-up finish at the NCAA Division II College World Series.

He was a four-year letterwinner at his alma mater in which he posted a 45-9 overall record, including a 15-0 season in 1999 as a senior. McClain helped lead the Statemen to the 1996 College World Series and was inducted into the Delta State Hall of Fame in 2010.

McClain's name is permanently cemented in Delta State Baseball's illustrious history, as his name sits atop several career pitching categories in Delta State's record book, including appearances (69), innings pitched (363.1), wins (45), and strikeouts (324).

After earning his bachelor's degree in business administration from Delta State in 1999 and a Master of Business Administration in 2002, McClain played five years of professional baseball.

Head Coach Rodney Batts encourages all Delta State baseball fans to attend this event and support the program. "This special event will support the baseball program's operational expenses throughout the season. I hope everyone will come out and support our team but also hear some great baseball stories."
 
Ticket and sponsorship options include National Champions Table ($3,500), All-American Table ($2,500), All-GSC Table ($1,250), Couples ($150), Single ($100), and Kids 13-under ($30).
 
The event will feature a live auction, silent auction, raffle prizes, and a catered meal. There is limited seating (only 250 tickets), so fans are encouraged to purchase tickets soon.
Several sponsorship opportunities are available and include the following:
 
National Champions Table - $3500
8 Seats, major sponsor banner with business logo, banquet named after underwriter, sponsor gift for everyone at the table, raffle tickets for table, and two drink tickets per person.
 
All-American Table Sponsor - $2500
6 Seats, sponsor gift for head of table, raffle tickets for table, and two drink tickets per person.
 
All-GSC Table Sponsor - $1250
4 Seats, sponsor gift for head of table, raffle tickets for table, and two drink tickets per person.

For more information, contact Coach Rodney Batts at rbatts@deltastate.edu or 662-719-9155. Tickets can be purchased HERE.