JACKSON, Tenn. — Delta State University’s baseball team scored seven runs in the third inning and received a strong pitching effort from Adrian Byrd to beat Union 9-2 Thursday at Fesmire Field.
The Statesmen improved to 7-2 overall and 4-0 in Gulf South Conference play. Union dropped to 7-5 and is 2-2 in conference play.
The game was scoreless through the first two innings before Delta State’s big third inning. Following a catcher’s interference call with two outs and a wild pitch, the Statesmen sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs on four hits. Cade Greer started the rally with a bunt single, and Levi Lang drew a walk to load the bases. Bo Rock’s double to left-center cleared the bases, driving in three runs. Austin Estes was hit by a pitch, and Austin Batts drove in two runs with a single, extending the lead to 7-0.
Byrd (1-0) delivered a dominant performance on the mound. The left-hander threw eight shutout innings, carrying a perfect game into the sixth and a no-hit bid into the seventh. He allowed just one hit, struck out seven and walked none, needing only 91 pitches to silence Union’s lineup. Byrd faced just two batters over the minimum.
Delta State added two more runs in the seventh. Greer singled and later scored on Lang’s RBI double. Estes followed with a sacrifice fly, making it 9-0. Union scored twice in the bottom of the ninth against the bullpen, capitalizing on two hits and two walks. Corbin Gillentine closed the game for the Statesmen, securing the win.
The team finished with eight hits. Greer led with two hits and two runs scored, while Rock drove in three RBIs. Estes had two RBIs, and Lang doubled and scored twice. Delta State will conclude the series with a doubleheader scheduled for noon Friday.
