Cleveland, Miss. - The Delta State University Statesmen Baseball Team (0-0) will begin their season on the road in Mobile, Alabama against a non-conference opponent, the Spring Hill College Badgers (0-4). 

The Statesmen's season opener has been delayed by a week after the aftermath from ice storm Fern. This weekend's series will feature one game this afternoon at 5:00 p.m. (CT), from Historic Sims-Galle Field. The Statesmen and Badgers will wrap up the three-game series with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon starting at 1:00 p.m. (CT).  

Scouting the Statesmen: 

• The Statesmen have been picked to finish second in the GSC this season. In 2025, Delta State finished the season with an appearance to the NCAA South Region for the 37th time in program history. The Statesmen finished the regular season atop Gulf South Conference. Overall, DSU was 33-20 and went 23-10 in Gulf South Conference Play.  

• Mason Shropshire, Cael Allen, and Cade Greer have been noted as newcomers to watch this season.  

• Shropshire transferred to Delta State from the division I level where he played at UT Martin. As a Skyhawk, Shropshire made 23 appearances in the 2025 season where he held a 3-2 record, struck out 26 batters and held opposing hitters to a .257 batting average.  

• Greer also transferred to Delta State from the division I level where he played right up the road at the University of Memphis. As a Tiger, Greer played 41 games and started in 31 of them where he held a .284 batting average with nine doubles three home runs and put pressure on the base paths with seven stolen bags on the year.  

• Allen comes to Delta State from Collierville, Tenn., where he is tied fifth all-time in Collierville High School history in career doubles, was named the Dual Sport Athlete of the Year and was the Rookie of the Year.  

• Jacob Hill, Bo Rock, and Aidan McCrady have been noted as returners to watch this season.  

• The Byhalia native Jacob Hill returns for his senior season after playing in 32 games and starting in 27 in the 2025 season. In the 2025 season, Hill had a .273 batting average with six doubles a triple and two home runs. Hill was a threat on the base paths as he had the second most stolen bags of any Statesmen in the 2025 season with 13.  

• Rock played in 28 games and started in 19 games last season for the green and white where he had a .274 batting average with four doubles and three home runs including a grand slam in a 15-7 win over Valdosta State in Harvey Stadium at Ferriss Field.  

• McCrady had a stellar freshman season for the Statesmen where he had appeared in 11 games with six starts including a start in the NCAA Regional against Florida Southern. McCrady posted a 2-3 record with 17 strikeouts including a five-strikeout performance in his first career start against Ouachita Baptist. 

Scouting the Badgers: 

• Spring Hill is currently 0-4 to start the 2026 season. The Badgers were picked third in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) preseason coaches' poll. The Badgers were swept last weekend on the road by the Panthers from Florida Tech. The Panthers won 8-2, 10-9, and 11-9 in their home opening series. 

• Alex Roux leads the Badgers with a .467 batting average. In 15 at-bats, he has notched 7 hits including a double, triple, and home run. 

• Each weekend starter threw 4 innings on weekend 1. Ochoa allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks. Brown allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks. Lott allowed 6 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks. 

• The Badgers scored season-high 9 runs on 11 hits against Florida Tech on January 31. This past Tuesday, the Badgers fell to fellow Gulf South Conference member 4-2 in Mobile.