PENSACOLA, Fla. — The University of West Florida baseball team came from behind to defeat No. 16 Delta State Univeristy 5-4, taking two out of three games over the Statesmen this weekend. Offensively, the Argos battled back and scratched away at the lead until the bottom of the eighth when Greg Pron delivered an RBI double down the right field line to put the Argos up 5-4.
Three first inning errors by the Statesmen defense allowed the Argonauts to jump out on top with an early 1-0 lead. Delta State answered right back in the top half of the second with two runs of their own. Kellen Bozeman tied the game up at one with a solo homerun to center with one out. Next batted David Mooney doubled down the right field line before being driven in on an RBI base hit up the middle from T.J. Hitt, giving the Statesmen a 2-1 advantage.
In the second for the Argos, shortstop Brandon Brewer launched his first homerun of the season over the right field fence to knot the game up at two.
Three consecutive singles by the Statesmen in the top half of the third gave way to two more runs and a 4-2 lead over the Argos. Clay Sartain and Cade Hoggard provided the run support, adding RBI base hits up the middle giving the Statesmen the lead.
The Argos cut down the lead to one in the bottom half of the fifth. With runners on first and third, Lee Huggins singled up the middle driving in Greg to pull the Argos within one.
In the bottom half of the seventh the Argos evened the score at four. After the Argos loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a hit batter, Eric Kroll drew the one out walk, forcing in Jack Materne to even up the score at four.
The Argos continued offensive pressure finally paid off in the bottom of the eight as they would take a 5-4 lead. With on down in the inning, Pron delivered a double down the right field line, sending home Brewer for the go-ahead run.
Argonaut’s closer Sixto Velasco came on in the ninth to shut down the Statesmen, picking up his fourth save on the season.
John Church picked up his second win of the season, pitching five innings of relief , allowing no runs while striking out three.
The Argos will remain at home this week as they take on Florida Southern on Wednesday night at 6pm CT.
For more information on Argonaut athletics or to follow along with live stats, fans can keep up with the action at www.GoArgos.com.