NORFOLK, Va. – Freshman Malcolm Perry lined a two-out single into left-center field in the bottom of the ninth to give Norfolk State a 7-6, walk-off win over Coppin State in the first game of the teams' four-game series Friday at Marty L. Miller Field.

Perry shot a 1-0 pitch from Coppin's Giavanni Canales into the gap to score Phillip Boykin from third with the winning run as the Spartans (6-12, 3-2 MEAC) won their second straight game.

NSU faced deficits of 2-0 and 6-4 but rallied both times with timely hitting and pitching. The Eagles scored a pair of runs without a hit in the first inning, taking advantage of a walk and an NSU error to claim the early lead.

The Spartans surged in front with a four-run second inning. Brandon Cleveland's RBI double scored Jacob Council to start the rally. Dominic Joseph followed with a two-run triple to right to score Cleveland and Boykin. Joseph then scored from third on a wild pitch, putting NSU in front, 4-2.

The Eagles responded with four runs of their own in the top of the third. Sebastien Sarabia hit a two-run single and Eimir Perez had a run-scoring double to put the Eagles (7-13, 3-2) back in front.

Both pitching staffs settled in and the score remained 6-4 CSU until the sixth. With two outs and runners on the corners, Spartan designated hitter Korey Singh stroked an RBI single into right field. The ball got past the Eagle outfielder for an error allowing Tommy Woods to score all the way from first, knotting the score.

NSU's winning rally in the ninth started with a one-out single by Boykin off CSU reliever Justin Johnson (1-1). Boykin stole second and advanced to third on a flyout. Then a chess match of sorts ensued. NSU brought up Kam Walker, a right-handed batter, to pinch-hit against the lefty Johnson, but the Eagles countered by bringing in right hander Canales. Spartan head coach Keith Shumate responded by pinch hitting the lefty-swinging Perry, who gave the Spartans their first walk-off win of the year.

Council and Cleveland each went 2-for-4 for the Spartans, who out-hit CSU 10-7. Boykin scored twice.

Justin Walton (1-3) picked up the win with three brilliant innings of relief work. He allowed just one hit and struck out two in relief of Nolan Manzer, who allowed two earned runs (six total) in six innings pitched.

Perez went 3-for-4 for the Eagles.

The teams play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.