Cleveland, Miss. — Delta State and Mississippi College split their Saturday doubleheader at Ferriss Field. The Statesmen won the first game 8-2, but the Choctaws took the second 10-7. Both teams now have 20-12 records in Gulf South Conference play. The teams will meet in a rubber match Sunday.
Delta State secured the opener behind a strong pitching performance from Adrian Byrd. Byrd pitched 6.2 shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out nine. He improved to 7-1 this season. The Statesmen exploded in the fourth inning, scoring seven runs. Austin Batts drew an RBI walk, Cooper Walls followed with another bases-loaded walk, and Henley Parker hit a grand slam. Parker finished 3-for-3 with four RBIs and a walk. Batts added two RBIs. Delta State totaled 11 hits in the game.
Mississippi College responded in the second game, scoring four runs in the sixth inning to secure the win. The Choctaws jumped out early with three runs in the first, highlighted by a two-run homer from Alex Johnson. Mississippi College added a run in the third and another in the fifth before Delta State tied the game at 6-6 in the fourth. The decisive sixth inning included a three-run homer from Jake LaRocca. Delta State scored once more in the bottom of the sixth but could not complete the rally. Landon Holliman led the offense with three hits. LaRocca finished with four RBIs for Mississippi College.
The two teams will face off in the final game of the series Sunday at 1 p.m. from Harvey Stadium at Ferriss Field.
