NORFOLK, Va. | The Norfolk State University baseball team nearly swept a Northeast Conference (NEC) doubleheader on Thursday afternoon as the Spartans took the opener over LIU, 5-2, and almost rallied in the late innings in the second contest before falling 6-4 at Marty L. Miller Baseball Field.
In the opener, Norfolk State (7-21 overall, 5-6 NEC) broke a 0-0 tie with a run in the second inning as Jacob Council, who went 2-for-4, tripled to right center and came across to score on a Cam Mazell ground out as the Spartans jumped out to a 1-0 lead.
LIU (7-20, 7-7) answered with a pair of runs in the sixth, but NSU tied the game in the bottom of the frame as Mazell doubled down the right field line with one out and scored when Justin Journette, who reached on a single to left, stole second as the throw from the catcher went into center field, scoring on an error.
The Spartans broke the 2-2 tie in the seventh with three runs on three hits and took advantage of an error.
With one down, Dionte Brown struck out, but advanced on an error by the catcher. Ralphael Rodriguez walked and after a pitching change, Manny Jackson doubled down the line in right as Brown scored, while Rodriguez stopped at third. Both runners came across when Council singled through the right side as Norfolk State took a 5-2 advantage.
The Sharks loaded the bases with one out in the eighth, but could not plate a run as Norfolk State picked up the 5-2 victory.
Norfolk State finished with five runs on 11 hits and stranded 10 base runners, while LIU registered two runs on nine hits, committed four errors and left 10 on base.
Zac Capps started for the Spartans, going six innings as he gaveup two runs on five hits, walked two and struck out a season-high eight batters. Max McCrary (4-2) earned the win in 2.2 innings pitched and Mac Yarbrough picked up his first save.
Alex Huertas (3-4) took the loss as he was tagged for four runs (two earned) on seven hits, with five strikeouts and one walk in 6.1 innings. Jack VanDoran and Tatsuya Uemoto pitched in relief.
In the nightcap, Norfolk State opened the scoring with a run in the bottom of the first inning.
Chance Pollard doubled with one out and came in to score on a Manny Jackson base hit to right center as the Spartans grabbed an early 1-0 lead.
NSU extended the lead to 2-0 with a run in the third.
Kam Walker opened the frame with a walk and advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Pollard plated Walker with a sacrifice fly to right.
The Sharks answered in the top of the fourth as Carlton Harper belted a two-run homer to left, tying the game at 2.
LIU scored two runs in the fifth and sixth innings, taking a 6-2 advantage into the final three innings.
Norfolk State closed the gap to 6-3 with a run in the eighth as Jackson, who went 2-for-5, reached on a one-out base hit to center and moved to third on a Jacob Council double down the left field line. Cam Mazell scored Jackson from third with a groundout.
The Spartans made the game interesting in the bottom of the ninth as Tommy Woods, who went 2-for-3, doubled to begin the inning. He remained at second as Dionte Brown reached on a fielder's choice. Both runners advanced 90 feet on stolen bases. With one down, Pollard drew a walk to load the bases. Rodriguez followed with a walk as Woods scored from third, cutting the LIU lead to 6-4.
However, that would be as close as the Spartans would get as Jackson struck out and Council flied out to end the game.
Donovan Whitfield started on the hill for the Spartans, pitching 3.2 innings as he gave up two runs on five hits, walked six and struck out three. Matt Stanley (0-2) took the loss as he surrendered four runs (three earned) on five hits, with three strikeouts. Nolan Manzer worked three innings in relief.
Dominic Pieto (2-2) gave up two runs on four hits, fanned 11 and walked three in seven innings to earn the victory. Ryan Cross worked an inning, before paving the way for Ty McInnes, who recorded his third save of the season.
Norfolk State finished with four runs on seven hits, committed one error and left 10 on base. LIU record six runs on 14 hits and stranded 15 base runners, including eight through the first three innings.
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