CLEVELAND, Miss. — Delta State split a Gulf South Conference doubleheader with West Alabama on Saturday at University Field, taking game one 5-3 before falling 13-5 in game two.
Game One: Delta State 5, West Alabama 3
Delta State used timely hitting and a strong outing in the circle to secure the opener.
The Lady Statesmen jumped out early in the first inning when
Carly Dunigan launched a two-run home run to left, scoring
Mary Teague and giving DSU a 2-0 lead. West Alabama answered with a pair of solo home runs in the fourth and added another run in the fifth to take a 3-2 advantage.
Delta State responded immediately.
Alyssa Wilson delivered an RBI double in the fifth to tie the game, and the Lady Statesmen broke through in the sixth inning.
Kyleigh Wheaton doubled home the go-ahead run before Maeve
Lavoy followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 5-3.
Lavoy was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing three runs on six hits and striking out seven to earn the win.
Game Two: West Alabama 13, Delta State 5 (5 inn.)
The Tigers responded in a big way in game two, using a five-run first inning to set the tone.
West Alabama capitalized on early defensive miscues and powered its offense with multiple home runs, including two from ShaKeria Washington, who finished with five RBI. The Tigers built a 7-2 lead by the second inning and never looked back.
Delta State showed fight throughout the game.
Maeve Lavoy drove in two runs in the first inning to keep DSU within striking distance, and the Lady Statesmen added two more runs in the third on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly from
Ally Agner.
Carly Dunigan capped the scoring for DSU with a solo home run in the fifth, but West Alabama answered with four runs in the fifth to put the game out of reach and secure the run-rule victory.
Key Performers
Delta State moves to 11-18 overall and 5-9 in GSC play following the split and will continue the series against West Alabama at University Field on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. (CT).
