GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Delta State University softball team battled through a tough doubleheader Sunday at the Gulf Shores Invitational, dropping decisions to nationally ranked Saint Leo University (7-3) and the University of North Georgia (6-0).
Game 1: Saint Leo 7, Delta State 3
The Lady Statesmen (0-4) spent the morning chasing Saint Leo after the Lions jumped out to a 4-0 lead through the first three innings. Delta State showed resilience in the fourth, as Nevaeh Lopez doubled to left-center to plate Kyleigh Wheaton and Mary Teague, cutting the deficit to 4-2.
In the sixth, Wheaton—who finished the game 2-for-2 at the plate —tripled to set the stage for a Hallie Turner RBI single, bringing DSU within a single run. However, Saint Leo answered in the bottom half of the frame with three runs to pull away 7-3.
Game 2: North Georgia 6, Delta State 0
In the afternoon tilt, the Lady Statesmen were kept off the board by a strong North Georgia (2-2) pitching staff. The game remained a scoreless deadlock until the fourth inning when UNG broke through for two runs. The Nighthawks added four more insurance runs in the fifth to secure the victory.
Wheaton, Callie McConnell, and Joryie McKnight recorded the three hits for the Lady Statesmen in the contest.
Up Next: Delta State returns to action as they continue their early-season non-conference schedule as they hit the road next weekend to face the Badgers from Spring Hill College. For more information, visit GoStatesmen.com.