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NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion used a six-run second inning and a four-run third to jump to a big early lead, then had to hold off a furious late Norfolk State rally to subdue the Spartans, 11-8, on Tuesday night before 3,651 fans at Harbor Park.

The win helped the Monarchs (14-23) clinch a season split of the two games with NSU (11-21).

NSU led 1-0 after the first inning as lead-off hitter Chase Kyriacou, who singled to start the frame, scored from third base on a two-out wild pitch by ODU starter Greg Tomchick.

But ODU erupted for six runs and five hits in the second off NSU starter Jeff Di Fulgo. Brandon Shelton tied the game with an RBI double. Brent Frazier added a two-run single and Josh Eldridge delivered the biggest blow with a three-run double to give the Monarchs a 6-1 edge.

ODU tacked on four more in the fourth off Di Fulgo and Spartan reliever Jeremy Sandifer. Ben Verlander hit a three-run triple on a ball which NSU center fielder Mikey Bruno just missed catching with a diving attempt in center. Instead, the ball bounced by Bruno, allowing the bases to empty. Verlander then scored on a wild pitch to make it 10-1.

Josh Wright provided the Monarchs' follow run of the night when he knocked in Joey Burney with a fielder's choice.

But the Spartan bats heated up late to make it a game. In the seventh, Ross Cardwell hit a two-out, two-run single to plate Bruno and Cameron Day, who both reached on infield singles.

Trailing 11-3, NSU made it even more interesting with a five-run eighth. Day got the scoring started with an RBI single to center, and Bruno followed with a sacrifice fly. With two outs, Ryan Montgomery kept the rally going with a two-run single to right field off Mike Ney, the second of three ODU pitchers to see time in the eighth. Montgomery advanced to third on Cardwell's third single of the game and scored on a passed ball to cut the Spartans' deficit to 11-8.

But Erick Baker retired Shane Hoggard to end the uprising in the eighth, and worked a 1-2-3 ninth to earn the save.

Tomchick (1-2) got the win in ODU's pre-determined staff outing. He allowed three hits and one run in three innings. Di Fulgo (0-6) was saddled with the loss after giving up eight hits and eight runs, seven earned, in three-plus innings.

Cardwell was 3-for-5 and extended his hitting streak to seven games for the Spartans. Day and Bruno added two hits apiece as NSU out-hit the Monarchs 13-10.

Eldridge was 3-for-6 with three RBI, while Frazier went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI to pace ODU.

The Spartans return home to Marty L. Miller Field to host Coppin State in a three-game MEAC series this Saturday and Sunday. The teams play a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday and a single game at noon on Sunday.