Oxford, Ala. — Delta State’s baseball team secured a spot in the Gulf South Conference Championship after a 5-4 victory over Lee University in a semifinal Monday at Choccolocco Park.
The Statesmen (31-20) overcame an early deficit with timely hitting and strong relief pitching. Lee (36-16) took an early lead, holding a 4-2 advantage through five innings before Delta State responded in the bottom half of the fifth.
Levi Lang’s two-run homer to left field tied the game at 4-4. In the seventh, Tucker Jones reached base and later scored on an RBI single from Lang, giving Delta State a 5-4 lead.
On the mound, Dawson Muenzenmay (6-2) pitched five scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits and striking out five to earn the win. The bullpen shut down Lee down the stretch, with Muenzenmay retiring the side in order in the ninth to secure the victory.
Jones led the offense with three runs scored, while Lang finished with four RBIs on a 2-for-3 night, including the game-tying homer and the go-ahead hit. Lee threatened in the eighth, but Muenzenmay escaped a jam and closed out the game.
Delta State advances to face West Florida in the championship game Tuesday at 1 p.m. Central Time. The team needs two wins to claim its 16th conference title in program history.
