Starting pitcher T.J. Starkey (Virginia Beach, Va./Emmanuel College) earned his first win in a Norfolk State uniform and also drove in two runs on Saturday to lead the Spartans to a 3-2 win over Iona at Marty L. Miller Baseball Field.

Starkey (1-0) pitched seven strong innings, giving up one earned run on nine hits, striking out three and walking none in his first start at NSU. He also singled in a run in the second and forced in another with a fielder’s choice in the seventh.

NSU took a 2-0 lead in the second. Cameron Jones (Cheverly, Md./Riverdale Baptist) walked to lead off the inning, and Chris Galambus (Fairfax, Va./Greensboro College) and Brandon Norvell (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) both reached on fielder’s choices to load the bases. Charles Lalane (Brooklyn, N.Y/Bushwick) grounded to third, and Jones was forced out at home. But catcher Matt Bruno’s throw to first to get Lalane went down the right-field line, allowing Galambus to score. Starkey followed with a single to score Norvell.

The Gaels (0-2) cut their deficit to 2-1 on the third on an RBI single by Mark Zettl.

In the seventh, Starkey scored Norvell from third base with a fielder’s choice. Lalane’s takeout slide on Starkey’s grounder broke up a double-play possibility that would have ended the inning.

Iona again cut its deficit to one on an RBI single by Mike Perrone. But Andy Renshaw (Virginia Beach, Va./Green Run) retired the side in order in the top of the ninth for his second save in as many days.

Norvell and A.J. Corbin (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) had two hits apiece for the Spartans. Norvell also scored twice.

Iona got a 3-for-4 day from Matt Callahan, and starting pitcher Sean Kramer struck out 11 in seven innings pitched.

NSU (3-5) and Iona end their three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m.