JACKSON, Tenn. — Delta State University’s softball team lost both games of a doubleheader at Union University on Friday. The Lady Statesmen fell 8–6 in the first game and 10–6 in the second at Fesmire Field.
In the opener, Delta State (2–8) overcame an early 5–1 deficit with a four-run fifth inning but could not complete the comeback. Union took an early lead with a two-run homer from C. Jones in the second inning. The Lady Statesmen responded with a two-run double from Carly Dunigan and another from Ally Agner in the fifth, tying the game at 5–5. Union regained the lead with two runs in the bottom half of the inning and added another in the third to make it 8–5. Callie McConnell homered in the sixth to bring Delta State within two, but Union held on, stranding the tying run at the plate in the seventh.
Dunigan finished 3-for-3 with three RBIs, while Agner added three hits and two RBIs. M. Lavoy took the loss after giving up five runs in the second inning.
In the second game, Union (5–8) scored seven runs across the first two innings and added three more in the third to build a 10–1 lead. Delta State responded with two runs in the fifth and three in the seventh, highlighted by a two-run double from Kyleigh Wheaton and an RBI single from Mary Teague. Center fielder Joryie McKnight scored three runs and had two hits, including a stolen base. Wheaton finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and McConnell added two hits and two RBIs.
The Lady Statesmen’s bullpen steadied the game after a rough start, with Ellie Cox throwing 3.2 scoreless innings and allowing four hits with two strikeouts. Despite the rally in the seventh, Delta State could not overcome the early deficit, and the game ended with the tying run on deck. The teams will conclude their three-game series Saturday with a single game scheduled for 12 p.m. at Fesmire Field, according to the university.
