NORFOLK, Va. – After playing their first five weekend series of the season at home, including 15 of their first 18 games, the Norfolk State baseball team hits the road for the first of three consecutive MEAC Northern Division road series this weekend when the Spartans face Maryland Eastern Shore.

The teams are scheduled to play a single game at 3 p.m. Friday and a doubleheader starting at noon on Saturday in Princess Anne, Md.

Both NSU (6-12, 0-2 MEAC North) and UMES (5-14, 1-1) played their first conference games last weekend, and both teams had their respective series finales rained out a week ago. NSU dropped a doubleheader to Delaware State last Saturday in Norfolk by scores of 9-5 and 5-3. NSU will enter this weekend's series with a three-game losing streak.

NSU has four players batting over .290, led by sophomore outfielder Syeed Mahdi (.329). Mahdi also leads the team with eight doubles, four homers, 19 RBI and a .603 slugging percentage. Senior designated hitter Kyle Vaas checks in with a .319 batting average with three doubles, one triple, two home runs and 12 RBI. Junior first baseman Brian Beard (.299, 10 RBI, six stolen bases) and junior second baseman Roger Hall (.292, six doubles, seven RBI) are also flirting with the .300 mark.

The Spartans have a team earned-run average of 4.65, led by senior reliever Cooper Jones (1-1, 2.33) and junior righty Jonathan Mauricio (1-2, 2.45).

The Hawks split a MEAC doubleheader with Coppin State last weekend, losing 3-1 before rallying late in game two for a 4-3 win. UMES has a number of new faces on its roster this year, but does return senior All-MEAC infielder Mike Escanilla (.308, 7-9 stolen bases). Freshman Jessey Valdez leads the team with a .339 average and 14 RBI. On the mound, the Hawks have used eight difference starting pitchers this year and the UMES staff has combined for a 9.41 ERA.

NSU won seven of 10 meetings between the teams last year, winning six of nine in the regular season and the only meeting between the teams in the 2015 MEAC Baseball Championship tournament.

Live stats and live internet audio will be available through the UMES web site, www.umeshawks.com.