MILLINGTON, Tenn. (AP) – Jud Thigpen’s RBI single in the bottomof the eleventh inning clinched a 12-11 first-round victory forDelta State University (44-9) in Thursday’s Gulf South Conferencetournament.

West Alabama jumped ahead early, scoring three runs in the topof the first inning against John Polles.

But, the Statesmen came back with seven runs including a two-runhomer by Craig Newton and a three-run shot by Will Waldkirch in thesecond.

The Statesmen extended the lead to 8-3 in the third on an RBIsingle by Mark Broome, but the Tigers would cut into the marginwith a three-run fourth inning.

By the end of regulation, both teams deadlocked at 11-11.

The Statesmen offense got going in the eleventh inning, asleadoff hitter Clay Smith was beaned, then moved to second on abunt single by Eric Patten. Patten and Smith would advanced on athrowing error Thigpen’s single through the middle would seal thevictory for the Statesmen.

Tyler Brewer picked up the win for the Statesmen, allowing onlyone hit in six innings of relief, fanning three and allowing threeunearned runs.