NORFOLK, Va. | Antonio Velasquez pitched six strong innings and the Norfolk State University baseball team struck for seven runs in between the second and third innings as the Spartans completed a three-game Northeast Conference (NEC) sweep over Stonehill College, 8-2, on Sunday afternoon at Marty L. Miller Baseball Field.
With the victory, Norfolk State (6-19 overall, 4-5 NEC) completed its first conference sweep since 2021. The last time the Spartans won a conference series was April 16-18, 2021 when Norfolk State won four straight over Coppin State.
After a scoreless first inning, Norfolk State struck for three runs on three hits to take a 3-0 lead.
Justin Journette opened the frame with a walk and moved to second on a Chance Pollard base hit to center. With one down, Jacob Council was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Tommy Woods followed and reached on a fielder's choice as Journette was out at home. Brandon Cleveland plated Pollard with an infield hit and Dionte Brown singled through the left side, scoring Council and Woods.
Stonehill (3-19, 1-8) got a run back in the third, but the Spartans answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame.
Manny Jackson started the inning with a bunt single and advanced to third on a double by Journette. Pollard plated Jackson with a single to right. After a stolen base by Pollard, Cam Mazell singled through the left side, scoring two runs. Mazell came around to score on a Brown single to right center as the Spartans pushed the lead to 7-1.
Norfolk State tacked on another run in the fourth inning as Journette, who reached on a one-out base hit to left center, stole second and third before scoring on a Mazell double.
The Skyhawks cut the margin to 8-2 with a run sixth but could not get any closer.
Norfolk State finished with eight runs on 13 hits, committed a pair of errors and left eight on base, while Stonehill registered two runs on four hits, had one error and also stranded eight on base.
Velasquez surrendered two runs on three hits, fanned seven and walked four in six innings. Nolan Manzer earned his first save of the season by pitching three innings, with four strikeouts, one walk and one hit.
Billy Duff (1-1) took the loss as he was tagged for seven runs on 10 hits, struck out two and walked one. Andrew Wertz and Ryan Douglas pitched in relief.
UP NEXT
The Spartans step out of conference play for their midweek game as Norfolk State plays host to Longwood on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. from Marty L. Miller Baseball Field.
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