The Delta State University Statesmen opened their series against No. 14 West Alabama with a 14-9 victory Friday afternoon at Harvey Stadium-Ferriss Field in Cleveland, Mississippi.
Relief pitcher Ryan Herbison earned the win, tossing 3.2 innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks. The Statesmen’s offense was led by Tucker Jones and Levi Lang, who each hit two home runs. Jones finished 3-for-4 with six RBIs, while Walls went 3-for-5 with one RBI.
Delta State took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning when Jacob Palazzo singled and scored Tucker Jones. West Alabama responded with seven straight runs over the third, fourth, and part of the fifth innings. The Statesmen then scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth, with key hits from Landon Holliman, Jones, and Lang, tying the game at 7-7.
In the sixth inning, Delta State took control with another five-run frame. Jones hit his second three-RBI home run, followed by RBI doubles from Cade Greer and Cooper Walls. Lang’s second home run of the game and an RBI single from Austin Batts in the eighth extended the lead to 14-7.
West Alabama added two runs in the eighth and ninth innings, but the hosts held on for the victory. Every Delta State hitter recorded at least one hit, with six registering multiple hits, in the series opener.
The teams will continue their three-game series with a doubleheader set for 1 p.m. Saturday.
