MOBILE, Ala. - Delta State opened the 2026 season with a 9–7 victory over Spring Hill Friday evening at Sims-Galle Field in Mobile, Alabama. The Statesmen moved to 1-0 on the year behind a decisive six-run sixth inning and timely pitching in the closing frames.

Spring Hill plated three runs across the first two innings before Delta State responded in the third. Jacob Hill lifted a sacrifice fly to score the Statesmen's first run, and Levi Lang followed with a two-run single to even the contest at 3–3.

The game's turning point came in the sixth inning as Delta State erupted for six runs on five hits. Brady Hendrix delivered a two-run single in the rally, Tucker Jones drove in a run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Cade Greer added a two-run single to extend the Statesmen lead to 9–3.

Spring Hill threatened late with a solo home run in the seventh and a three-run ninth inning, but reliever Dawson Muenzenmay secured the final out to record the save and preserve the opening-day win.

Adrian Byrd earned the victory after striking out eight over five innings while allowing three runs, two earned.

At the plate, Greer and Lang each tallied two hits and two RBIs, while Hendrix also drove in a pair to pace the Delta State offense.

Delta State finished the night with nine runs on 11 hits, while Spring Hill totaled seven runs on seven hits.

The Statesmen will look to secure a series win tomorrow with a double header against the Badgers in Sims-Galle Field starting at 1:00 p.m. (CT).