JACKSON, Tenn. — Delta State rode a pair of home runs from
Kyleigh Wheaton and a six-run surge across the fourth and sixth innings to secure an 8–6 road win over Union on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Statesmen collected 12 hits and never trailed after Wheaton's first inning blast jump-started the offense.
Wheaton set the tone early, turning a two-out walk into a 2–0 lead with a two-run homer to right in the opening frame. The junior first baseman later added a solo shot in the fourth, finishing 3-for-4 with four RBIs as the centerpiece of Delta State's attack.
Union answered with two runs in the bottom of the first, but DSU's pitching settled in long enough for the offense to take control. The breakthrough came in the fourth, when the Lady Statesmen strung together six hits in the inning.
Hallie Turner doubled home a run, pinch hitter
Jayden Reyes delivered a single to right center, and
Joryie McKnight followed with an RBI single as the lead grew to 6–2.
Union continued to pressure, scoring twice in the fourth and once in the fifth, but relievers
Ellie Cox and
Kendal Moore combined to limit further damage. Moore worked the final 2.2 innings, allowing one run on six hits with two strikeouts to earn the save.
Delta State added two key insurance runs in the sixth.
Maeve Lavoy doubled to start the inning and later scored on a
Calli McConnell RBI double, while Wheaton drove in another with a single to right center. Lavoy finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored, a double, and a stolen base.
Union threatened in the seventh, pulling within 8–6 on an RBI single, but Moore induced consecutive ground balls to end the game with two runners aboard.
McConnell posted a 2-for-4 day with two RBIs and two extra-base hits, while McKnight added a pair of singles and an RBI. Turner doubled and drove in a run, and
Ally Agner chipped in a hit and two runs scored.
Delta State improves to 3–9 on the season and are 1-3returns home next week for a non-conference matchup at University Field Tuesday afternoon against the Hilltoppers from Blue Mountain Christian University at 2:00 p.m. (CT).
