Delta State wins windy one against William Carey at MGM Park

BILOXI -- The wind whipped across MGM Park all night Wednesday and never allowed the American flag beyond the right field wall to rest.

At times, the gusts made the players' uniforms dance while they stood calmly at their positions.

Still, the rain that had once looked to threaten the Coast never arrived, allowing Delta State to top William Carey 5-1 in the third college game between four-year schools at the Biloxi Shuckers' home.

The wind didn't aid any home run balls Wednesday, but the Statesmen and Crusaders manufactured their own offense.

Delta State (12-7) jumped ahead in the first inning and never trailed thanks to two runs on a single, two walks and a sacrifice fly by former St. Martin Yellow Jacket and Gulf Coast Bulldog Jacob Swiney.

Second baseman Trent Giambrone added to Delta State's lead in the second with a triple to center field that scored outfielder Brandon Cummins.

Delta State threatened to extend its lead in the third after two hit batters and a walk loaded up the bases but a fly ball to center let the Crusaders off the hook. The Statesmen once again loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth, but former St. Patrick slugger Ben Pickard struck out trying to empty the bases.

DSU got back on the scoreboard in the seventh when Cummins belted a ball to right field. The sinking ball skipped under the outfielder's glove and bounced to the wall allowing two Statesmen to score. Cummins, hustling around the bases, was tagged out home, giving DSU a 5-0 lead.

"It was one of those games where we took advantage of some situations early and hit at the right time. I thought we just left too many men out there in the middle innings. We had a chance to expand the lead a little bit but their pitching was good once they went to their bullpen," Delta State coach Mike Kinnison said. "Things got a little hairy in the final inning but we were able to pull it out."

William Carey (15-6) broke through in the bottom of the seventh on an infield single by Adrian Brown that scored Tyler Odom.

The Crusaders' best chance at getting even with Delta State came in the final frame when they loaded the bases on a single and two walks.

Delta State reliever Jacob Howell clamped down to get an infield fly and a strikeout to preserve the win and snap the Crusaders' nine-game winning streak.

"We fought to stay in the game. I was proud of my guys because we have a bunch of new kids and it was the first time for them in a setting like this," Crusaders coach Bobby Halford said. "Early on we didn't pitch well. Then we settled in to give ourselves a chance to win the ball game."

Coast connections

Former Pearl River Community College starter Jake Brumfield picked up the win for DSU, allowing two hits in two scoreless innings.

Pickard went 0-for-4 but walked once in his return to the Coast. Swiney was 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly.

Former Harrison Central product James Land walked in the ninth for William Carey, while Pearl River Central's Lane Fazende pitched two scoreless frames in relief of Picayune's J.D. Stockstill.

Delta State and William Carey's first game since 2011 had an announced attendance of 777.

MGM Park's college baseball schedule will continue March 22 when Southern Miss and Tulane square off.

This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 11:32 PM with the headline "Delta State wins windy one against William Carey at MGM Park ."