[05/29/01] J.J. Joiner’s two-out, three-RBI line drive gave Delta State a 14-11 win over top-ranked Tampa in an elimination game at the Division II world series Monday.

The No. 5 Statesmen (48-10) will face today’s St. Mary’s (Texas)-Masschusetts-Lowell winner on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

DSU trailed 5-0 after two innings, then 10-9 in the ninth before scoring five runs off reliever Kris Sutton, the Division II Pitcher of the Year.

Joiner, whose ninth-inning RBI single gave DSU an 11-10 win over Alabama-Huntsville in the South Central regional, again got his big hit after Frank Smith had been intentionally walked.

Smith hit solo homers in the third and fifth innings.

DSU has won three of its last five in the ninth inning.