PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Freshmen Kyle Vaas and Robert Barefoot combined for four runs batted in to help Norfolk State split a MEAC Northern Division doubleheader and snap a six-game losing streak with a 7-6 win over Maryland Eastern Shore in the nightcap of Saturday's double-dip at Hawks Stadium. Host UMES rallied from a 5-2 deficit to win game one, 6-5.

The Spartans are now 6-15 overall, 1-4 in the MEAC North. UMES is now 5-18, 2-3.

Barefoot, making the start at second base in the nightcap, hit the go-ahead RBI single in the top of the sixth inning. Vaas gave NSU some cushion with a two-run double in the seventh that put the Spartans ahead, 7-4.

NSU would need those runs as the Hawks scored twice with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Brandon Schott hit a run-scoring single, and he scored when NSU mishandled Tre-von Johnson's single, getting the Hawks within 7-6.

NSU reliever Ray Morton came on with two outs and Johnson on second, and was able to retire Connor Breslin on a come-backer to the mound to save the win for the Spartans. It was Morton's first save of the season.

UMES jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning of game two off Spartan starter Richie Salter. Schott hit a two-run double to score Stephen Bull and Mike Escanilla.

But the Spartans answered right back with four runs in the top of the second off UMES starter Will Turley. Barefoot and Justin Lee hit RBI singles, and Chase Kyriacou added a two-run single to give the Spartans the 4-2 edge.

That's how the score remained until the bottom of the fifth. Byron Campbell led off with a single and Jeffrey Fleetwood followed with a two-run homer to tie the game at 4-all.

But the Spartans would not be denied, scoring three times in their final two frames to earn their first conference win of the season.

Salter got the win, his team-leading third of the year, despite allowing 12 hits and six runs (five earned) in 6.2 innings. He walked two and struck out three to improve to 3-2 on the season.  Kyriacou was 3-for-4, Barefoot 2-for-3 with two RBI and Vaas 1-for-2 with two runs scored for the Spartans.

Zachary Saca allowed one unearned run in one inning of relief to take the loss for the Hawks. Schott, Johnson and Escanilla had two hits apiece for UMES in the nightcap.

Game one was a back-and-forth affair. The Spartans took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third as Cameron Day hit a run-scoring single and Vaas added a sacrifice fly. But Schott doubled in two runs in the bottom of the third to tie it.

NSU appeared to regain control in the top of the eighth. Zach Markel hit a two-run double and Day added an RBI double of his own to put the Spartans in front, 5-2.

But the Hawks again had the answer, scoring three runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh. Bull and Fleetwood both singled and Campbell walked to load the bases. Bull scored on a passed ball, then Johnson hit a two-run single to tie the game once more.

The Hawks then took a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the eighth. Joshua James doubled off Spartan reliever Troy Applin (1-1) to start the inning. James advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on another wild pitch by Applin to give the Hawks a 6-5 advantage.

Devin Repine worked a scoreless top of the ninth for his third save of the season for the Hawks.

Applin took the loss after allowing two hits and one run in 1.2 innings of relief. He struck out three. Saca pitched 1.1 innings to earn the win for UMES.

Escanilla and Johnson had two hits in each game for UMES. Schott knocked in five runs in the doubleheader.

Kyriacou went 4-for-8 with three runs scored and two RBI in the two games for the Spartans. Vaas was 3-for-5 with three RBI, and Markel and Day had three hits each for NSU.

The teams conclude their three-game series tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for noon.