tip of the cap

He did not have overpowering stuff, but Jeremy McClain could pitch. He could get batters out and win games. Delta State announced Friday that it will induct the former Statesmen ace, now the Division II school’s athletic director, into its Hall of Fame this year. The Houlka native was a jaw-dropping 45-9 at DSU, including a 15-0 mark his senior year in 1999. He pitched briefly in affiliated pro ball but had more success in the independent ranks. McClain was a key member of the Jackson Senators’ 2003 Central League championship team, getting the win in relief in the title series clincher. And he was pretty impressive, as well, with the ill-fated Jackson Diamond Kats in 2000, their lone season. McClain went 7-9 with a 3.27 ERA for a team that finished 38-74 and had an ERA of 5.00.