DOVER, Del. | The Norfolk State University baseball team could not get a timely hit, stranding 28 base runners in a doubleheader loss to Delaware State to close out the Northeast Conference (NEC) series on Sunday afternoon at Bob Reed Field.
Norfolk State dropped the series opener, 2-0, on Friday and were forced to play two games on Sunday when inclement weather halted the series on Saturday. The Spartans dropped the opener, 11-6, and fell Game 2, 8-7.
In the opener, Norfolk State (8-25 overall, 5-10 NEC) struck for a pair of runs in the top of the second inning to grab a 2-0 lead.
With one down, Cam Mazell drew a walk and advanced 90 feet to second on a two-out walk to Tommy Woods. Dominic Joseph reached on a fielding error to load the bases. Brandon Cleveland, who was 2-for-5, followed with a single up the middle as Mazell and Woods scored.
Delaware State (9-23, 5-10) tied the game at 2 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning, but back came the Spartans, plating two more runs in the top half of the third.
Manny Jackson, who went 3-for-6, doubled to left center with one out. With two down, Mazell doubled to right, scoring Jackson. Mazell moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Jacob Council base hit to right as NSU took a 4-2 advantage.
The Hornets tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the third and took a 7-4 lead with three runs in the fourth.
Norfolk State pulled to within one run in the sixth inning.
Ralphael Rodriguez opened the frame with a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Jackson singled to left, scoring Rodriguez. With two down, Jackson, who advanced to second on a throwing error, came across to score on a Council base hit to right.
DSU picked up a run in the seventh and added three more in the eighth, extending the advantage to 11-6.
Norfolk State finished with six runs on nine hits, committed four errors and left 16 on base. Delaware State registered 11 runs on 12 hits, committed three errors and stranded 13 on base.
Both starting pitchers lasted three innings. NSU's Donovan Whitfield gave up four runs (three earned) on four hits, walked two and struck out two. DSU's Nathan Vidmar surrendered four runs (two earned) on four hits, with four walks and one strikeout.
Matt Stanley (0-3) took the loss as he surrendered three runs on two hits and walked two in 0.1 of an inning pitched in relief. John Horton and Nathan Manzer also worked out of the bullpen.
Evan Harris (1-3) earned the victory as he gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits, with four strikeouts and three walks in two innings. C.J. Loper and Jack Messmore (second save) saw action in relief.
In the second game, Delaware State picked up a run in the bottom of the second inning to grab a 1-0 lead.
The Hornets added to the advantage with two runs in the fourth and fifth innings, extending the lead to 5-0.
Norfolk State closed the gap to 5-3 with three runs in the top half of the sixth inning.
With one out, Derek Seigneur walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. Council homered to deep right to close the margin to 5-2. With two down, Woods and Kam Walker drew back-to-back walks. After a pitching change, Nathan Ade, who went 2-for-4, singled to right, scoring Woods.
The Spartans pulled to within one run in the seventh as Justin Journette drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Seigneur followed with a base hit up the middle as Journette came across to score, cutting the deficit to 5-4.
However, Delaware State answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame, pushing the advantage to 8-4.
Norfolk State responded with three runs on three hits, while taking advantage of an error in the top of the eighth, closing the gap to 8-7.
Walker was hit by a pitch with one out and moved to second on a balk. Ade singled to left as Walker scored on a throwing error by the left fielder. After a pitching change, Cleveland was hit by a pitch and Rodriguez singled to center, loading the bases. Journette followed with a two-RBI base hit to right as Ade and Cleveland scored.
The Spartans tried to rally in the ninth with two outs. Ade walked and stole second, but the rally ended as Cleveland flied out to left to end the game.
Norfolk State finished with seven runs on seven hits, committed one error and stranded 12 on base. Delaware State registered eight runs on eight hits, had one error and left four on base.
Antonio Velasquez (1-5) started on the hill as he gave up five runs (two earned) on four hits, fanned seven and walked two in 4.2 innings. Max McCrary pitched the final 3.1 innings in relief.
Evan Bouldin (2-2) surrendered three runs (all in the sixth inning) on just two hits, fanned 12 and walked six in 5.2 innings. Brandon Hatch, Hunter Thompson and Hiram Davis (second save) worked in relief.
UP NEXT
Norfolk State returns to action on Tuesday with its midweek game in Farmville, Va., as the Spartans visit Longwood. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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