HANOVER, Md. | Tommy Woods collected a pair of hits, including a solo homer in the eighth inning, but it wasn't enough as the Norfolk State University baseball team opened a three-game Northeast Conference (NEC) series on Thursday afternoon with a 5-3 loss to Coppin State at Joe Cannon Stadium.
 
After a scoreless first inning, Norfolk State (9-40 overall, 6-22 NEC) grabbed an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the second.
 
Brandon Cleveland, who went 2-for-5, opened the frame with a single to right and advanced to third on a Woods base hit to center. With one down, Steven Shaffer, who went 2-for-5, delivered a single through the left side, scoring Cleveland.
 
Coppin State (19-31, 12-16) picked up four runs, highlighted by a three-run homer to left by Brody Black, in the bottom of the third inning, taking a 4-1 lead.
 
The Spartans cut the deficit to 4-2 in the top half of the fourth as Cleveland led off the frame with a double and with one-out, scored on a Robert Beatty double to right center.
 
Norfolk State had an opportunity to put some runs on the board in the seventh by loading the bases, but Coppin State got out of the jam.
 
The Eagles loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh, coming away with just one run, pushing the advantage to 5-2.
 
Back came the Spartans in the eighth as Woods, who went 2-for-3, opened the inning with a solo home run to left field, cutting the margin to 5-3.
 
Norfolk State tried to rally in the ninth as Jacob Council, who went 3-for-5,l tripled to right center with one out, but CSU relief Rashad Ruff fanned Justin Journette for the second out. After Cam Mazell walked, Cleveland popped up to the first baseman to end the game.
 
The Spartans finished with three runs on 11 hits, committed one error and left 13 on base, while the Eagles registered five runs on nine hits and stranded six on base.
 
Dalton Barham (1-6) took the loss, giving up five runs (one earned) on eight hits, with four strikeouts and two walks in 6.2 innings. John Horton pitched the final 1.1 innings in relief.
 
Marcos Herrand (7-5) earned the victory, giving up two runs on nine hits, striking out nine and walking four in six innings. Ruff was masterful in relief, picking up the save in three innings. He fanned eight, walked two, gave up a pair of hits and surrendered one run.
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans continue their three-game series with Coppin State on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Joe Cannon Stadium.
 
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