Sophomore lefthander Max Russell pitched a complete-game five-hitter, as the Moccasins cruised to a 9-1 win over Delta State Friday at Cleveland, Mississippi.
The win was the Moccasins' eighth straight and boosted their record to 9-3. Delta State is 5-6.
In tossing his first collegiate complete game, Russell (2-0) struck out four and walked only one. After giving up a solo homer to Kellen Bozeman leading off the fourth for Delta State's only run, Russell retired the next 16 batters in order before giving up his only walk with one out in the ninth.
A four-run first inning gave Russell all the runs he needed. Wade Kirkland and Nick Stanley delivered RBI-singles and Zach Maggard capped the inning with a two-run homer, his first of the season.
The Moccasins came right back with three more runs in the second. Trae Gore hit a solo homer, his first of the season, and Stanley doubled in a pair of runs.
Kirkland had four hits in the game, Stanley had three and drove in three runs. Gore and Will Cherry each had two hits, one of which was Cherry's third home run of the season. Gore and Maggard extended their hitting streaks to 12 straight games.
The Moccasins, ranked 30th in Division II, play a doubleheader at Delta State Saturday at 2 p.m. (ET).
