OXFORD, Ala. — The Delta State University baseball team punched its ticket to the next round with a commanding 7-1 victory over West Alabama on Sunday at Choccolocco Park.
The Statesmen (29-20) used timely hitting and a dominant performance on the mound to control the game from start to finish, advancing to face an opponent to be determined.
Delta State opened the scoring in the second inning, capitalizing on a West Alabama error and a run-scoring groundout from
Bo Rock to take a 2-0 lead. The Statesmen broke the game open in the fifth inning, plating four runs on four hits, highlighted by a two-RBI double from
Tucker Jones and RBI knocks from
Levi Lang and
Cade Greer.
Rock added to the lead in the sixth inning with a solo home run to right field, pushing the advantage to 7-0.
On the mound,
Mason Shropshire delivered a standout performance. The Memphis native carried a no-hit bid into the eighth inning, earning the win after tossing 7.2 innings, allowing just one run on one hit while striking out eight.
Eli Akins closed out the final 1.1 innings to secure the victory.
At the plate,
Tucker Jones led the way with two hits and two RBIs, while Greer added two hits and an RBI. Lang and Rock each drove in a pair of runs as part of a balanced offensive effort that produced nine hits.
West Alabama (34-15) was limited to just three hits on the day, with its lone run coming in the eighth inning.
With the win, Delta State advances in postseason play and will await its next opponent as the tournament continues tomorrow. The Statesmen will be playing an opponent to be determined at 11:00 a.m. (CT) tomorrow at Choccolocco Park.
