Box Score

BALTIMORE, Md. – Third baseman Chris Joyce (Chesapeake, Va.) hit the first two home runs of his Norfolk State career and John Lynch (Newport News, Va.) added one of his own as the Spartans defeated Coppin State 13-2 in a makeup MEAC conference game on Monday at Joe Cannon Stadium.

The game was the last in the team's three-game series, which was originally scheduled for March 28-29 but was postponed due to rain. The Spartans (9-16, 5-7 MEAC) won the first two from the Eagles on March 31, 28-4 and 7-2. Monday's contest was stopped after seven innings due to the 10-run rule.

Joyce (five RBI) and Lynch (four) each set a new career-high for runs batted in for the Spartans (9-16, 5-7 MEAC), who broke a three-game losing streak. Sophomore right hander Horace Smith III (Emporia, Va.) earned his first win of the year and the second of his career by striking out a personal-best 10 hitters. Smith (1-2) pitched all seven innings for his second career complete game.

Brandon Hairston (North Garden, Va.) led NSU's 13-hit attack with a 3-for-5 day, including a pair of doubles. Hairston and Juan Herrera (Santiago, Dominican Republic) scored three runs apiece. Lynch, Joyce, Herrera and Jerrod Farley (Chester, Va.) added two hits each for NSU.

NSU scored three runs in the top of first on Joyce's first homer, a three-run shot to left off Eagles' starter Harry Williams (0-5). Lynch made it 4-0 in the second with an RBI single.

CSU (0-20, 0-9) scored twice in the bottom of the second, highlighted by Williams' solo homer, to cut its deficit in half. But NSU added a run in the third, four more in the fifth and four in the seventh. Joyce connected for a two-run homer in the fifth, while Lynch had a three-run blast in the seventh.

NSU hosts North Carolina Central on Wednesday in a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. The game has been designated Faculty & Staff Night. All NSU faculty and staff with an NSU ID will receive a free hot dog from the concession stand.