FLORENCE
-- Delta State batters hit three home runs
and North Alabama's hitters managed just
seven hits as the Lions dropped a 7-3
decision to the Statesmen at University
Field.
Delta State
took an early 4-0 lead but UNA rallied and
cut the deficit to one at 4-3 in the third
inning. DSU came right back with a three-run
fourth and neither team could muster a run
after that.
The loss drops
UNA to 9-3 overall, while the fourth ranked
Statesmen improved 11-2.
UNA starter
Jeff Schafer was roughed up for seven runs
on eight hits in four innings of work. That
included home runs by J.T. Taylor, Hunter
Jobes and Rickey Noland. Branden Tepe
pitched 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief
and Matt Vandenheuvel pitched the final 1
2/3, allowing just one hit.
Delta State got
a leadoff double in the second and Michael
Niemann had an RBI single. Taylor followed
with a two-run homer to make it 3-0 and
Jobes made it back-to-back shots for a 4-0
lead.
In the bottom
of the third, UNA's Nick Newberry had a
leadoff double and later scored on a wild
pitch. Ross Parker walked and Matt Horton
was hit-by-pitch before Jeffery Ritter
doubled to right. Parker scored on the hit
and Horton came in on an error by the second
baseman on the relay, making it 4-3. All of
UNA's damage came off DSU starter Joey
Haston, who allowed three runs on two hits
over 2 1/3 innings. Korey Cunningham pitched
the middle 3 2/3 innings to get the win,
allowing no runs on just three hits. Cody
Kelley pitched the final three innings,
allowing just two hits, for his third save
of the year.
Delta answered
UNA's rally with a three-run fourth,
highlighted by Noland's two-run homer.
Ritter led UNA
at the plate, going 3-for-4. Newberry also
had two hits
The Lions host
Harding Saturday and Sunday in a three-game
series that begins at 1 p.m. each day.
Printable Game
Statistics - Game 12 - Delta State
