BASEBALL SWEPT BY #14 DELTA STATE

CLEVELAND, MS - For the third game in a row, the #14 ranked Delta State University baseball team's starting pitching went the distance finishing the three game sweep of Pace University. The Statesmen extend their winning streak to nine while improving to 20-4 on the season. The Setters drop to an even 4-4 on the season.

In game one, Delta defeated Pace 8-5, coming back from a two run deficit. The Statesmen got on the board first after Clay Sartain singled to centerfield scoring Rickey Noland from third, who led off the bottom of the third with a double to deep left centerfield. Hunter Jobes added to more runs in the bottom of the fourth when his single to centerfield scored Jareck West from third and Chris Clark from second.

The Setters made some noise in the top of the seventh, scoring five runs on four hits and an error to take a two run lead. Andre Liscinsky started the rally with a leadoff single. Matt Arburr (Bristol, CT/Bristol Eastern) tripled to right field scoring Liscinsky.  After a walk to Ted Mullen, Neil Ross (Cortland Manor, NY/Dominican College) singled to left field to drive in Arburr. Adam Harwood followed by reaching on a fielder's choice, which scored Mullen and allowed Ross to advance to second on an error by the second basemen. Chris Brown continued the rally by doubling to left field scoring Ross. Vinny Dammann (Muilica Hill, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) would fly out to center, which allowed Harwood to score on the sacrifice, before Joe Baracato grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Statesmen would answer right back in their half of the seventh, scoring four runs of their own. Chris Weast's frozen rope off the glove of Setter third baseman Matt Arburr (Bristol, CT/Bristol Eastern) allowed Jareck West to easily score from second base. Jobes collected two more RBI on a single to left field that sent Weast and Clark home. After Jobes advanced to third on a balk by pitcher Mike Mastrogiovani, Patrick Williams would single to leftfield sending Jobes home for the final Statesman run of the inning. The Statesmen would score their final running of the evening when Devin Goodwin would walk home after a past ball by Setter catcher Chris Brown.

Pitching the complete game for DSU was junior Brett Durand (5-0), who gave up four earned runs, scattered seven hits and struck out nine while throwing over 130 pitches.

Mastrogiovani (0-1) got the loss, giving up four runs on four hits in 0.1 inning of work.

In the second game, Delta State would squeeze by Pace, 5-4. The Setters jumped on the board in the top of the first taking advantage on an error by the shortstop that allowed Liscinsky to reach base. After a sac bunt by Harwood, Ross doubled to left to bring home Liscinsky.

Delta State would take the lead in their half of the first, as Rickey Noland slammed a double off the right field wall sending home Patrick Williams and Clay Sartain.

Pace tied the game at 2 in the top of the third on an RBI single by Mullen, before Delta State would retake the lead scoring a run of their in the bottom half of their inning as Noland double again, allowing Sartain to score from second.

The Setters would show their resilience once again as they scored two runs in the top of the fourth to take a 4-3 lead. Dammann and Chris Brown led off the inning with a pair of singles, as Barracato advanced both runners with a sac bunt. Dammann would score a wild pitch, while Brown scored on a suicide squeeze by Liscinsky.

Delta State took the lead for good in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to left field by Chris Clark and a bases loaded walk to J.T. Taylor.

Junior hurler Justin Smith went the distance for Delta Stare, giving up four runs on eight hits while striking out four. Taking the loss for Pace was starter Dustin Corbett (Vestal, NY/Vestal). The junior right-hander went five and-a-third allowing five earned runs on eight hits with five strikeouts.

In the series finale, Delta State would complete the sweep defeating Pace 6-1. DSU carried a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning when Jareck West's triple off the centerfield wall sent home Clay Sartain and Rickey Noland making the score 4-1.

After picking up one more run in the seventh on an error by Setter second baseman Adam Harwood (Los Angeles, CA/Brentwood), West would lead off the eighth with a line drive double to the leftfield corner. West would then advance to third on a ground out by pinch hitter Brent Davidson before walking home on a seeing eye single to right field by J.T. Taylor, pushing the Statesmen lead to five, 6-1.

West would lead the Statesmen at the plate going 2-for-4 with a double, triple, and two RBI. Also going 2-for-4 with an RBI was third baseman Patrick Williams.

Rusty Rayborn (3-1) picked up the win after tossing the complete game, giving up one run on seven hits with seven strikeouts.

Leading the way for Pace was right fielder Neil Ross (Cortland Manor, NY/Dominican College), who was 1-for-4 with an RBI in the top of the first.

Taking the loss was Setter starter Nicholas Demeo (0-1). In six innings pitched, he gave up two earned runs on six hits.

Pace returns to action on Wednesday March 14^th, when the Setters play host to Dominican College. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Finnerty Field.

RELEASE COURTESY OF DELTA STATE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS DEPARTMENT