NORFOLK, Va. | The Norfolk State University baseball team rallied from a six-run early deficit and took a one-run lead into the top of the ninth inning, but LIU responded with 11 runs in winning the Northeast Conference (NEC) series, 17-7, on Saturday at Marty L. Miller Baseball Field.
LIU (8-20 overall, 8-7 NEC) owned the first three innings, scoring one in the first, three in the second and two in the third to grab a 6-0 lead.
However, Norfolk State (7-22, 5-7 NEC) responded with a run in the fourth inning.
With one down in the frame, Dionte Brown, who went 3-for-5, singled to center and advanced to second on a passed ball. Justin Journette reached on a two-out infield hit as Brown took third and scored on an error.
The Spartans tied the game at 6 with five runs on three hits in the fifth inning.
Chance Pollard opened the frame and was hit by a pitch. Cam Mazell singled through the right side and with one down, Dominic Joseph singled through the left side, scoring Pollard. With two down, Brown singled up the middle as Mazell scored. Raphael Rodriguez drew a walk and was followed by three consecutive batters (Justin Journette, Jacob Council and Pollard) being hit by pitches as NSU tied the game.
Norfolk State grabbed the 7-6 lead with a run in the sixth when Joseph, who reached on a fielder's choice, came around to score on a base hit to right by Brown.
The Spartans took the 7-6 lead into the last inning, but the Sharks scored 11 runs on six hits and took advantage of an error to take a 17-7 lead.
Norfolk State finished with seven runs on nine hits, had one error and stranded six on base. LIU registered 17 runs on 14 hits, committed one error and left nine on base.
Antonio Velasquez started for the Spartans, going three innings as he surrendered six runs on four hits, walked six and struckout three. John Horton (0-2), Mac Yarbrough, Joe Lafave and Kevin Chinnia saw action out of the bullpen.
Garrett Yawn worked 4.2 innings, giving up six runs (five earned) on five hits, fanned seven and wlaked one. Tatsuya Uemoto, Shane Tucker (2-0) and Ty McInnes pitched in relief.
UP NEXT
Norfolk State concludes its eight-game homestand on Wednesday as VMI comes to town. First pitch against the Keydets is set for 3 p.m. from Marty L. Miller Baseball Field.
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