CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State Statesmen ran their winning streak to eight games as they used a five-run sixth inning to top the Lee baseball team, 12-3 in the opener of a three-game Gulf South Conference Series.

After a slight delay to the game to clear off an unusual snow fall in the Delta it was Dylan Standifer that got the Flames on the board first with a run-scoring single. He finished with two singles and two RBI.  Nate Bynum and Brandon Daniels each doubled in the contest to account for Lee's two extra base hits.

After falling behind 2-0 early the Statesmen responded with two in the second, two in the fourth, five in the sixth and three more in the seventh. Wyatt Pratt paced the Statesmen at the dish as he had four hits and put an exclamation point on their five-run sixth with a two-run single. Carson Clowers also had four hits and scored two runs. All totaled the Statesmen

Cameron Land (2-1) suffered his first loss of the season. In 5.1 innings he allowed five runs on eight hits, walked three and struck out three. Brycen Jewell and Jax Howard came on in relief but struggled to get the Flames out of the jam. Sean Casteel and Cole Matthaidess settled things down and combined to work a scoreless 1.2 innings.

Landon Zizmann (4-0) remained perfect on the bump for the Statesmen. He went seven strong allowing three runs on seven hits. He fanned seven and walked two. Charles Darnell was called on to shut the door and allowed just one hit while striking out three in two innings.

The Flames fall to an even 10-10 on the year and are 4-5 in GSC play. Delta State improves to 11-5 and 6-3 in the GSC. The two teams will wrap up the series with a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at noon.