Box Score ROME, Ga.—No. 8 Delta State took advantage of one big inning as they claimed a 5-4 win over the Christian Brothers University Bucs in the first round of the Gulf South Conference Tournament Friday night at State Mutual Stadium.

The Bucs (11-36) struck first in the top of the second, when Josh Ambuehl (Las Vegas, Nev./Arlington HS) was hit by a pitch with two out and scored on an Alan Wright (Olive Branch, Miss./DeSoto Central HS) double down the left field line.  They tacked on another run in the fifth when Jimmy Franklin (Knoxville, Tenn./Powell HS) singled and scored when Will Wilson (Cordova, Tenn./First Assembly Christian School) reached on a throwing error.  The Bucs' 2-0 lead wouldn't last long, however, as DSU (36-11) started the bottom of the fifth with five straight singles.  After a sacrifice fly and two more singles, the Statesmen held a 5-2 lead.

The Bucs shaved a run off the lead in the seventh when Franklin singled and scored on a throwing error on a Wilson single.  The Bucs made one final push in the top of the ninth, when Ryan Knott (Cordova, Tenn./St. Benedict HS) worked a one-out walk and scored when Ambuehl grounded into a force play.

Franklin and Braden Keathley (Henderson, Nev./Silverado HS) each went 2-for-4, with Franklin scoring twice.  Jon-Michael Davis (Bartlett, Tenn./Bartlett HS) tossed three and two-third scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out one.

The Bucs return to action at 3:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon, when they will play in an elimination game against the loser of tonight's final game between Valdosta State and No. 27 North Alabama.