Delta State University scored four runs in the first inning and added a big insurance run in the seventh frame to eliminate Lee University from the Gulf South Conference Baseball Championship on Sunday afternoon at Choccolocco Park.
The 5-3 defeat was the second straight in the tournament for the Flames. They will now turn their attention towards the important rankings which will take place on Wednesday. That will be followed by the NCAA Selection show and scheduling of a pair of NCAA DII South Region Tournaments on Sunday, May 12.
The Statesmen sent nine batters to the plate in scoring the four runs in the first inning off Lee starter Frankie Volkers. It was a combination of a pair of walks, one hit batter, four singles and a sacrifice fly that put Delta State on top 4-0.
The Statesmen waited until the seventh inning to score their other run. It came on another single, a free pass, a key error by the Flames and a sacrifice fly that scored Brett Burrell. All totaled, Delta State had nine hits, a double by Matthew Nichols and a triple by Wes Warnock were the Statesmen’s only extra base hits of the game.
Burrell finished with a pair of hits and scored two runs plus collecting a RBI for the winners. Brendan McCauley also banged out two hits and drove in a run. Hayden Cooper and Taylor Woodcock had a hit and RBI for Delta State.
Heading into the fourth inning, the Flames were able to post only a double by Brandon Daniels off the pitching of Logan Cromer. In the inning, Riley Black drew a walk and JJ Williams had a one-base hit. Brock Sisson connected for a solid single and Black rounded third and came sliding into home plate. In a big call, the umpire ruled Black out to the dismay of Coach Mark Brew, Black and the Lee fans. The call ended Lee’s first scoring threat of the game.
The Flames came right back in the fifth and scored three runs. Josiah Miller doubled, and Brantley Cutler ripped a two-run homer to make it a 4-2 game. With two outs, Daniels blasted a no-doubt homer over the scoreboard in right-centerfield to cut the lead to 4-3.
Lee had one more threat in the sixth, but Delta State hurler Cromer was able to work his way out of the jam, allowing Noah Mcgee to come on for the final three innings. Cromer (4-3) was the winning pitcher. He worked six innings, allowing eight hits and three earned runs. He fanned nine Lee hitters and walked a pair. Mcgee gave up only one hit in his three innings.
It was a tough outing for Lee pitcher Volkers (4-1). He retired only one batter, allowing three hits, four earned runs, walking two and hitting one. Cole Matthaidess was called on and gave his best performance of the season. Over 5.2 innings, he allowed four hits, no earned runs and walked two.
Tim Gooden came on for the final two frames. The right-hander surrendered two hits and an unearned run. He posted three strikeouts and issued one free pass.
Daniels homered and singled for the Flames. Miller doubled and scored a run while Sisson collected two hits and Cutler’s homerun plated two runners. Dylan Standifer and Williams had Lee’s other hits.