NATCHEZ — Joe Eidt wasn’t able to make a Delta State baseball game in person this season, but he’s kept up with the team through their live broadcasts online.

Though the Statesmen eventually lost to West Chester 9-0 in the Division II baseball title game Saturday, local fans like Eidt said they enjoyed watching the Statesmen fight through nine elimination games to make the championship match.

The Statesmen’s seemingly miraculous run through the postseason is what made this year’s squad exciting to watch, Eidt said.

“That’s part of the mystique. It’s unbelievable,” Eidt said.

Eidt said the team came back from being down early in the season and started pulling together at the right time. But Delta State has been to the championship game before, and the Statesmen won the Division II national title in 2004.

“For a Division II school with limited scholarships, I think it’s fantastic the accomplishments they’ve had through the years,” Eidt said. “There’s a camaraderie in the Delta, including the City of Cleveland, that has given great support, as well as a strong alumni association.”

Cathedral football coach Ron Rushing and baseball coach Craig Beesley both played baseball at Delta State, and both were excited about the Statesmen making the national title game. Rushing said he’s been following the Statesmen live on Twitter since their postseason run began.

“I’m pumped,” Rushing said. “I got chills getting updates from Twitter. It’s one of the best Division II programs in the nation. Coach (Mike) Kinnison does a good job, and he was an assistant coach when I played there.”

Even though the Statesmen ultimately lost, Rushing said he expects Delta State to come back strong next season.

“I know how those guys in the dugout are feeling, but what they accomplished just to get to that point is special,” Rushing said.

“All the teams there are equal, the other team got the breaks. That they were able to win nine elimination games, I think that shows the tradition and what Delta State baseball is all about.”

Beesley said the entire school’s athletic department does a good job promoting all of the sports, so it’s not just football in which that Delta State excels.

“We have good talent here in Mississippi,” Beesley said. “With Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Southern Miss taking the big-time names, Delta State seems to get the kids right under that level. They’ve always had good tradition in baseball, and football has come a long way recently.”

Meadville resident Fred Foster, who lettered in football, basketball, baseball, track and tennis when he attended Delta State in the ’50s, said he’s been impressed with the team this season. Foster also said the Statesmen have been very lucky to win so many elimination games this postseason.

“They’ve been close — they’ve been lucky,” Foster said. “There’s an old saying, it’s better to be lucky than good. When you’re down three to five runs with two at-bats left, and you’re able to come back, you have a lot of luck.”

But Foster also said some skill was involved as well.

“On the other hand, they have a lot of good players, and they’re confident,” Foster said. “They’re like grapes — they hit in bunches. I guess that’s what makes them a good team. They find a way to win.”