CLEVELAND, Miss. — The Delta State University softball team put together one of its most competitive days of the season on Tuesday at University Field, but the Statesmen came up just short in both ends of a doubleheader against undefeated Blue Mountain Christian University. DSU fell 6–5 in the opener before dropping a back-and-forth 7–6 extra-inning contest in Game Two.

Game One (from PDF 2): Blue Mountain 6, Delta State 5
Delta State struck first in the second inning when Ally Agner scored on an RBI single from Rebecca Martinez. After Blue Mountain answered with two in the third, the Lady Statesmen surged ahead with a three-run fifth inning, highlighted by Calli McConnell's three-run homer to right center.

Blue Mountain reclaimed the lead with a three-run sixth, capitalizing on two DSU defensive errors and a two-RBI double from Neely Barrier. Delta State pulled within one in the seventh when McConnell delivered her fourth RBI of the game, but the tying run was stranded at second.

DSU Offensive Leaders (Game One)

• Calli McConnell: 3-for-4, HR, 4 RBI
• Joryie McKnight: 2-for-4, 2 R
• Rebecca Martinez: RBI single
• DSU outhit Blue Mountain 9–6

Pitching Notes

•     Kendal Moore, Ellie Cox, and Maeve Lavoy combined for 7.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R (5 ER), 3 SO.

Game Two (from PDF 1): Blue Mountain 7, Delta State 6 (8 inn.)
In the nightcap, Delta State erased an early 2–0 deficit and tied the game in the third behind a sacrifice fly from Carly Dunigan and an RBI single from Ally Agner. DSU then erupted for four runs in the fourth, punctuated by Kyleigh Wheaton's three-run home run to left center, giving the Statesmen a 6–3 lead.

Blue Mountain responded with a three-run sixth, including a three-run homer by Vaye Savage, who finished with four RBI. After the international tiebreaker placed a runner at second in the eighth, the Toppers scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.

Delta State threatened in the bottom half, putting runners at second and third after Joryie McKnight walked and stole second, but a strikeout and flyout ended the rally.
DSU Offensive Leaders (Game Two)

• Kyleigh Wheaton: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
• Mary Teague: 2-for-3, 2 R
• Ally Agner: 2-for-3, RBI
• Carly Dunigan: RBI double + sac fly

Pitching Notes

• Lavoy, Bridgman, and Pippin combined for 8.0 IP, 10 H, 7 R (5 ER).

 
The Lady Statesmen return to University Field to take on the No. 7 ranked West Florida Argonauts in a three-game Series this weekend. The series will start with a double header Friday at 3 p.m. (CT).