DOVER, Del. – Trailing 3-1 after seven innings, Norfolk State rallied with six runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth to win the rubber game of its weekend MEAC series at Delaware State, 9-3, on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field.

The Spartans (11-17, 7-5 MEAC North) had just five hits through seven innings but added five more in the eighth. Korey Singh's pinch-hit, two-run single gave the Spartans a lead they would not relinquish.

The late surge made a winner out of NSU senior right hander Jonathan Mahoney (3-3), who pitched eight innings and struck out a career-high 11 hitters.

NSU struck first in the third inning, as James Deloatch led off with a single and scored on a one-out RBI single by Caleb Ward. But the Hornets (10-17, 5-7) scored single tallies in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to pull in front. Adrian Hill's RBI single in the fourth tied the score, and Miguel Rivera's RBI double in the fifth gave the Hornets a 2-1 lead. Mark Herron doubled in another run in the sixth to extend the lead.

Hornet left hander Darnell Maisonet pitched seven strong innings, allowing just five hits and one run while striking out five. But the Spartans got to the DSU bullpen in the eighth. Ward greeted reliever Jeremy Carrow with a single and Stephen Baughan followed with his second double of the game to put two men in scoring position.

Alsander Womack's RBI single scored Ward and brought NSU within one, and Adam Collins' sacrifice fly plated Baughan with the tying run. Brandon Crosby kept the rally going with a single, moving pinch runner Jaran Davis to third. After Crosby stole second and Kam Holland walked to load the bases, Singh delivered a two-run single to give the Spartans a 5-3 lead. The final two runs in the rally scored on a two-out DSU error.

Crosby tripled in two runs in the ninth to stretch the advantage to 9-3.

Mahoney allowed seven hits and three runs in his eight innings pitched. He struck out the side in his eighth and final frame to surpass his previous career high of nine strikeouts, which he has achieved four times previously in his two years as a Spartan. Trey Hanchey struck out two in a scoreless ninth to seal the win.

Crosby and Baughan each went 3-for-5 Sunday. Crosby had two RBIs, and Baughan doubled twice and scored twice. Deloatch had his first two-hit game as a Spartan (2-for-3) and Ward also had a pair of hits.

Carrow (1-3) allowed five hits and six runs, four earned, in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss for DSU.

The Spartans play at the University of Virginia at 6 p.m. Wednesday, their 12^th consecutive road game. Following Wednesday's game, the Spartans return home for their next 11 contests.