Statesmen Take Two From Wonder Boys

Nationally fifth-ranked Delta State University collected 40 base hits over the span of a two-game sweep of Arkansas Tech University in non-conference baseball at Tech Field in Russellville on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Wonder Boys (26-16) will return to Great American Conference play by visiting Southern Arkansas University for a three-game series in Magnolia on Friday, April 20, and Saturday, April 21.

First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday. Find live coverage on www.arkansastechsports.com.

Game One: DSU 25, Tech 16

Clay Casey went 3-for-5 with a home run and five runs batted in to help Delta State out-slug Arkansas Tech 25-16 on Tuesday night.

The services of 10 pitchers were utilized and 482 pitches were thrown in a nine-inning game that lasted four hours and two minutes.

Seth Hougesen (2-0) was identified as the winning pitcher. He allowed one run on four hits over three innings of work.

Riley Hickerson was 2-for-6 with two doubles and five RBIs for the Wonder Boys. Cody Wescott added a solo home run and Harry Gard drove in two runs for Tech.

Game Two: DSU 13, Tech 6

Delta State held off a comeback bid by Arkansas Tech to defeat the Wonder Boys 13-6 on Wednesday afternoon.

The Statesmen built a 7-2 lead after five-and-a-half innings. RBI singles by Tech’s Seth Wheeler, Hickerson and Mark Vaughn along with a sacrifice fly off the bat of Kyle Gibbs in the bottom of the sixth inning cut the Delta State advantage to 7-6.

The DSU bullpen combination of Jonathan Lindsey and Jason Lott prevented any further scoring by the Wonder Boys, and the Statesmen tacked on six insurance runs during their final two turns at bat.

Casey was 4-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs for Delta State.

Melvin Frazier (4-0) was the winning pitcher. He started on the mound for the Statesmen and surrendered two runs on three hits over four innings.

Dylan McDearmon drove in two runs for Arkansas Tech.

All eight of the Wonder Boys’ hits were singles. Delta State compiled five extra-base hits.