dsu’s quest

Delta State’s Michael Niemann, a senior outfielder from Washington state, kept a neat streak alive this week when he earned All-Gulf South Conference first-team honors for the third straight season. Niemann, who was joined on the first team by DSU first baseman Kellen Bozeman and pitcher Josh Branstetter, is likely more focused today on another streak, one he would like to see snapped. DSU opens GSC Tournament play against North Alabama this morning seeking to earn its first NCAA Division II regional berth since 2008. DSU is 29-17 and ranked seventh in the latest South Region poll; the Statesmen need a good run in the tourney to get a bid. Never count them out, of course. They’ve won the title a record 11 times. Niemann (.312, six homers, 46 RBIs, 22 steals), Bozeman (.377, 56 RBIs) and Branstetter (7-2 record) could play pivotal roles in getting DSU back on the regional track in Millington, Tenn., this weekend.
P.S. If the latest addition to the Mississippi Braves’ roster sounds familiar, it could be because outfielder Jeff Fiorentino has spent a fair amount of time in the big leagues, batting .270 in 58 games over four seasons. Atlanta acquired the former third-round pick from Baltimore for cash. He doubled twice and scored three runs Thursday night in his M-Braves debut. Note: He doesn’t really belong in Double-A. … Fred Lewis, the former Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College star, homered Thursday in just his second at-bat since coming off the disabled list for Cincinnati.