CLEVELAND, Miss. — No. 15 Delta State University baseball secured a 2-1 win over No. 22 West Florida on Friday evening at Harvey Stadium-Ferriss Field. The Statesmen relied on a strong pitching performance from Adrian Byrd and key situational hitting to take the first game of the series.
Byrd, a senior left-hander, pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits with four strikeouts and no walks to improve to 3-0 this season. Delta State scored first in the third inning after Brady Hendrix drew a walk and advanced on a fielder’s choice. Tucker Jones then delivered a two-out RBI single down the left field line, giving the Statesmen a 1-0 lead.
The game remained a pitchers’ duel into the late innings, with both teams struggling to generate offense. Delta State managed only four hits but used aggressive baserunning, including stolen bases from Jones, Cade Greer, and Jacob Hill, to keep pressure on West Florida. An insurance run came in the eighth when Greer drew a walk, moved into scoring position, and later scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 2-0.
West Florida threatened in the ninth, scoring on an RBI double to cut the deficit to one. However, Delta State closer Dawson Muenzenmay secured the final outs to earn his third save of the season. Ryan Herbison worked a scoreless eighth inning in relief of Byrd, bridging the gap to Muenzenmay.
Jones led the offensive effort with two hits and the team’s only RBI, while Greer scored once and reached base twice. Delta State’s pitching staff limited West Florida to six hits and did not issue a walk, preserving the narrow victory in conference play. The series concludes with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. at Harvey Stadium-Ferriss Field.
