NORFOLK, Va. | The Norfolk State University baseball team took a two-run lead into the final inning but could not hold off Maryland Eastern Shore in falling, 10-8, in the Northeast Conference (NEC) series opener on Friday afternoon at Marty L. Miller Baseball Field.
Maryland Eastern Shore (14-26 overall, 10-9 NEC) opened the scoring with a run in the top of the first inning, but Norfolk State responded with two in the bottom of the frame to grab a 2-1 advantage.
Brandon Cleveland began the inning with a walk and moved to second on a bunt single by Raphael Rodriguez. Rodriguez stole second and moved to third on an error as Cleveland scored on the play. With one out, Jacob Council brought Rodriguez across on a sacrifice fly to left.
The Hawks tied the game at 2 with a run in the second and took a 4-2 lead with two runs in the third inning.
The Spartans (8-31, 5-14) answered with two runs on just one hit and took advantage of two UMES errors in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game at 4.
Justin Journette, who went 2-for-4, reached on an error to begin the inning and came across to score on a triple to left center by Steven Shaffer. Tommy Woods reached on an error by the right fielder, allowing Shaffer to score.
Maryland Eastern Shore loaded the bases in the fifth and came away with two runs as the Hawks grabbed a 6-4 lead.
Norfolk State loaded the bases off reliever Blake Rebstock in the bottom of the sixth inning and the Spartans took advantage in taking an 8-6 lead.
Journette began the frame with a base hit to left and advanced to third on back-to-back walks to Cam Mazell and Shaffer. After a pitching change, Woods just missed a grand slam as the ball hit off the top of the right field wall, scoring Journette and Mazell. Dominic Joseph followed with a single through the left side as Shaffer and Woods scored, giving NSU the two-run lead.
Maryland Eastern Shore rallied in the top of the ninth, taking advantage of three NSU errors. The Hawks pushed across four runs, none bigger than a two-out double by Bryan Widdowson, giving UMES the 9-8 lead.
Norfolk State finished with eight runs on eight hits, committed four errors and stranded 10 on base. Maryland Eastern Shore registered 10 runs on 14 hits, with three errors and left four on base.
Dalton Barham started on the hill for the Spartans, giving up six runs on eight hits, fanned six and walked four in five innings. John Horton took the loss as he gave up four runs (one earned) on five hits, walked a pair and struck out two in 3.2 innings. Nathan Manzer also saw action out of the bullpen.
Kyle Speas pitched five innings, surrendering four unearned runs on four hits, struck out five and walked two. Blake Rebstock, Nick Gatton and Caden Parker pitched in relief. Parker earned the victory in 2.2 innings of work, fanning four.
UP NEXT
Norfolk State wraps up the three-game homestand against Maryland Eastern Shore with a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch against the Hawks in Game 1 is set for 12 p.m. from Marty L. Miller Baseball Field.
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