CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State scored 11 runs in the first inning and never looked back in piining a 17-3 Gulf South Conference loss on the Lee baseball team at Harvey Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The victory gave the Statesmen a 2-1 edge in the three-game series.

Lee left-hander Trent Hill was the starting Lee pitcher and was unable to get out of the first inning, allowing eight earned runs on four hits, three walks and a hit batter. His pitching record slipped to 2-2. Four other Lee pitchers worked before the long day ended. Michael Ray gave the Flames three quality innings in the seven-inning affair. He allowed five hits, one earned run and walked one. Kyle Briner came on for the final 1 1/3 innings. The senior did not allow a hit or a run.

All three Lee runs came off homers. Geremy Walton collected his second dinger of the season in the second inning. Brayden Ware stroked his second round-tripper in the fifth and Big Ben Holland ripped his 10th home run of the year in the sixth. The Flames only had four hits off Delta winning pitcher Justin Vincent. He improved to 2-0 for the year, fanning 10 Lee hitters and not walking a man in going the distance.

The Statesmen banged out 17 hits, including six doubles and one home run. Colton Welch collected the long ball while Trent Giambrone had a pair of two-base knocks and Brandon Cummin, Will Robertson, Ethan Gill and Ben Pickard had the other two-baggers. Juwan Burney had three hits, four RBI and scored twice in the win.

Lee dropped to 1-5 play in the GSC and 6-7 overall. Delta State stands at 4-2 and 9-5.

The Flames will seek to regroup and must face a strong DII program in Bellarmine University (Ky.) on Tuesday and Wednesday in single nine-inning games. Tuesday's non-conference game is slated for 4 p.m. and the opening pitch in Wednesday's contest is scheduled for 2 p.m.