ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — The No. 22-ranked Delta State University baseball team used a five-run sixth inning to rally past Ouachita Baptist 8-4 Tuesday at Rab Rodgers Field.
Delta State opened the scoring early, with two runs in the first inning. Jacob Hill led off with a single, and three straight walks loaded the bases. Stone Collier and Cael Allen each drew RBI bases-loaded walks, giving the Statesmen a 2-0 lead.
Ouachita responded with two runs in the third, including a solo homer from Reece McWilliams, to tie the game at 2-2. The game remained tied until the sixth, when Delta State seized control. With two outs, Hill reached on an error, and Tucker Jones followed with an RBI single to put the Statesmen back ahead.
An error extended the inning, allowing Levi Lang to add an RBI single. Collier then delivered a two-run single, capping the five-run frame. Delta State added an insurance run in the eighth on Collier’s RBI groundout. Ouachita’s Joseph Bolin hit a two-run homer in the ninth, but Hayden Dodson retired the final two hitters to secure the win.
Levi Lang led the offense with a 3-for-4 effort, scoring twice and driving in one run. Hill also contributed two hits and two runs scored. Collier finished with four RBIs, tying his season high. On the mound, Ryan Herbison earned the win in relief, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Gavin McCoy and Eli Akins combined for three shutout innings before Dodson closed the game.
Delta State’s bullpen allowed just one earned run over 5.2 innings. The team returns home this weekend for a Gulf South Conference series against No. 8 West Florida at Ferriss Field. The teams will face off Friday at 5 p.m. and play a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1 p.m., according to the school.
