NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State head baseball coach
Keith Shumate have achieved a historic milestone on Friday, an accumulation of years of dedication and success across multiple programs.
Â
But for Shumate, one record matters the most: 1-0.
Â
The Spartans knocked off Mount St. Mary's 8-3 at Marty L. Miller Field on Friday, securing Shumate's 400
th career win in the process. It marked Norfolk State's first season-opening win since 2017 as well, earning the result with an emphatic offensive showing.
The Mountaineers struck first with a run to start the game, but Norfolk State answered right back.
Cam Mazell drilled a two-run homer to right field, giving the Spartans a 2-1 lead after one inning of play.
Â
The back-and-forth battle continued on, as Mount St. Mary's retook the lead in the third inning. The Mountaineers scored two runs on a single to right center field, but Norfolk State's defense would lock in from that point on.
Â
Mount St. Mary's took its 3-2 lead into the fifth inning, but the Spartans tied things up by capitalizing on an opposing error. Norfolk State quickly loaded the bases in the sixth with no outs, thanks to a hit-by-pitch and a pair of singles.
Â
Another hit batter brought in the go-ahead run for the Spartans, before NSU added two more runs before the end of the inning thanks to some ample baserunning.
Â
The offensive wave put Norfolk State in control with a 7-3 lead, as NSU's relief pitchers took over for the final stretch.
Ethan Blakeney got out of a small jam for a scoreless seventh inning, before
Nolan Manzer went 1-2-3 in the eighth with two strikeouts.
Â
Jamal Ritter added another insurance score for the Spartans in between those pitching spurts, blasting a home run to right field in the seventh inning.
Â
Manzer closed out the victory comfortably, after the Mountaineers got two runners on base to start the ninth inning. Striking out Tyler Long for the first out, Manzer forced a fly out on the next at-bat, before ending the win with a strikeout.
Â
UP NEXT
Â
Norfolk State returns to action on Saturday against Mount St. Mary's. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. from Marty L. Miller Field.
Â
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.
Â