SEARCY, Ark. — The Delta State University baseball team built an early lead, but Harding used a five-run eighth inning to rally past the Statesmen, 11-8, on Tuesday afternoon at Jerry Moore Field. The loss moved Delta State to 26-
17 on the season, while Harding improved to 28-16.

The Statesmen struck first in the opening inning when Landon Holliman singled, stole third and later scored on an RBI single from Levi Lang to give DSU a 1-0 advantage. Harding answered with two runs in the bottom half behind RBI hits from Cooper Newsom and Collin Helms to take a 2-1 lead.

Delta State tied the game in the second as Holliman delivered another RBI single, scoring Tyler Otts to make it 2-2. After both teams were held scoreless through the next two innings, the Statesmen broke through in the fifth with a three-run frame. Cade Greer and Walker Maranto came around to score on Harding miscues, while Austin Batts crossed the plate on a throwing error to push DSU ahead 5-2.

The Green and White added two more in the seventh when Henley Parker ripped a two-run double to right-center, scoring Greer and Batts for a 7-2 lead. Harding responded immediately, however, with Logan Lacey launching a solo homer and Helms following with a two-run blast later in the inning to trim the deficit to 7-6.

The Bisons completed the comeback in the eighth. After tying the game on a wild pitch, Newsom delivered a two-run double to put Harding in front before Helms capped the inning with his second home run of the day, a two-run shot to right field, stretching the lead to 11-7.

Delta State attempted a ninth-inning rally as Parker drove in Greer with an RBI single, but the Statesmen stranded the bases loaded to end the game.

Parker led the offense with a 2-for-4 performance and three RBIs, including a double. Holliman also collected two hits and two RBIs, while Greer scored three times and reached base four times. Austin Estes added two hits, and Batts crossed the plate twice.

Gavin McCoy gave Delta State a solid start, allowing two runs over 4.2 innings with two strikeouts. 

Delta State will look to bounce back as the Statesmen return to Gulf South Conference play this weekend against in-state rival Mississippi College. The three-game series is set to start Friday evening at 6:00 p.m., from Ferriss Field.