LEXINGTON, Va. | The Norfolk State University baseball team ended its eight-game road swing on Tuesday night with a 16-1 loss to VMI at Gray-Minor Stadium.
VMI (22-19) capitalized on an error in the bottom of the first inning to quickly jump out to a 3-0 lead.
However, Norfolk State (8-30) picked up a run in the top half of the second.
With two outs, Camrin Sturgeon reached on an infield single and came across to score on a double to center by Steven Shaffer as the Spartans closed the gap to 3-1.
The Keydets responded in the bottom of the inning with two runs and stretched the advantage to 8-1 with three runs in the third.
VMI extended the lead to 16-1 with five runs in the fourth and three in the sixth.
Norfolk State finished with one run on three hits, committed three errors and left seven on base. VMI registered 16 runs on 18 hits, had one error and also stranded seven on base.
Matt Stanley (0-4) took the loss as he surrendered eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits, struck out four and walked a pair in three innings. Noah Wiggins and Donovan Whitfield saw action out of the bullpen.
It was pitching by committee for the Keydets as Caden Plummer (2-2) earned the start and pitched just one inning. Roberto Velasquez, Clark Driscoll, Alex LaRou, Marcus Van Alstine, Ty Barker and Derrell Fletcher-Knight pitched in relief.
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Norfolk State returns home this weekend as the Spartans play host to Maryland Eastern Shore in a three-game Northeast Conference (NEC) series, starting on Friday. First pitch against the Hawks is set for 3 p.m. from Marty L. Miller Baseball Field.
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