CARROLLTON, Ga. – The University of West Georgia baseball team dropped the decisive Game 3 decision to Delta State on Sunday afternoon to close out its Gulf South Conference series at Cole Field.

Following a promising start in the finale, the Wolves suffered the 12-5 setback to the Statesmen after splitting a twin bill on Saturday.

West Georgia (5-7, 5-7 GSC) struggled on the mound with five different pitchers toeing the rubber and also continued a frustrating theme for UWG head coach Jeff Smith by not delivering the timely hit offensively, stranding 13 runners on base Sunday, including seven in scoring position.

The Wolves plated a pair of runs in the first on an RBI single from freshman catcher Jackson Webb and another run scoring on an error.

The Statesmen (4-5, 4-5) cut the lead in half in the third on a solo shot by catcher Donovan Shows, but UWG starter Andrew Smith kept the damage minimal after DSU put runners on second and third with only one out. The freshman right-hander induced a strikeout and flyout to Delta State's No. 3 and No. 4 hitters to keep the Wolves out in front.

West Georgia got the run back in the top of the fourth on an RBI base knock by sophomore second baseman Brody Wortham, but couldn't do any more damage after loading the bases with one out. DSU hurler Landon Zizmann recorded a popout to second base and a flyout to center to keep it a two-run contest.

Delta State connected on a solo shot from second baseman Jake Barlow in the fourth and took its first lead of the day in the fifth on a two-run double by right fielder Kirkland Trahan and an RBI base knock by Barlow for the 5-3 advantage.

UWG sophomore left fielder Garrett Sheffield led off the sixth with a ground-rule double and came home on an RBI sacrifice fly by senior first baseman Dan Oberst, but the Statesmen added three runs in the home half, tallying two on a double by left fielder Chad Ragland and the third on an RBI single from first baseman Hayden White.

The Wolves were able to manufacture a run in the seventh on a pair of walks and an RBI groundout by junior shortstop Cody Mish. The Statesmen put the game away from there, though, scoring three more in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single from Shows and a pair of wild pitches. Barlow then stroked his second solo shot of the day in the eighth, followed by a home run from third baseman Wyatt Pratt for the final 12-5 margin.

Oberst (2-for-3, run, RBI), Mish (2-for-4, BB, run, RBI) and sophomore designated hitter Joe Skinner (2-for-5) recorded multiple-hit efforts for West Georgia. The Wolves return to action next weekend with a three-game series against Shorter in Rome. First game is set for Friday at 1 p.m., followed by a noon doubleheader on Saturday.