Delta State baseball falls to Lee 9-3 in postseason opener

OXFORD, Ala. — Delta State University’s baseball team lost its postseason opener 9-3 to Lee on Friday evening at Choccolocco Park. The Statesmen, now 28-20, will face West Alabama in an elimination game Saturday morning.

Lee took control early with a five-run second inning, fueled by walks and key hits. Isaiah French doubled for two RBIs, and Braden Gabel added an RBI single to highlight the rally. Delta State struggled offensively early but scored its first run in the fourth inning. Tucker Jones tripled, and Walker Maranto drove him in with an RBI single.

Maranto led the offense with two hits and two RBIs. Jones added two hits, scored twice, and stole a base. Austin Batts also posted two hits for the Statesmen. On the mound, Blake King allowed five runs in the second inning and took the loss. Gavin McCoy pitched 5.2 innings, striking out four, but Lee continued to add insurance runs throughout the game.

The Statesmen mounted a late rally, scoring two runs in the eighth inning on an RBI from Maranto and a passed ball, but the deficit was too large to overcome. Delta State will look to rebound Saturday against West Alabama at 11 a.m. at Choccolocco Park.

Source: Original Article