NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State baseball team showed signs of a rally throughout Tuesday's matchup with the University of Massachusetts, but the ball didn't bounce the Spartans way in a 5-1 loss.
 
Across four pitchers, the Spartans (7-12) gave up just six hits, striking out 13 batters. Ethan Blakeney tossed the strongest stretch of the day, striking out five of the seven batters he faced in two scoreless and hitless innings.
 
After struggling to get anything going against Norfolk State starter Liam Royster, UMass (4-11) got on the board in the fourth inning with a solo home run. The Spartans got runners in scoring possession in their next three frames but couldn't get players across home plate in each situation.

UMass added two runs in the sixth inning, but Norfolk State responded with some offensive success.
 
A leadoff walk from Jamal Runner, followed by a Brenden Burke single down the line put runners on the corners. Two consecutive strikeouts gave the advantage back to UMass, but Jalan Jones singled to right field for the Spartans' first run of the day.
 
Norfolk State had another opportunity in the eighth with bases loaded, but a double play got the Minutemen into the final inning.
 
UMass added two runs in the ninth, before Zack Given closed out the game for the Minutemen in the bottom half of the inning.
 
UP NEXT
 
Norfolk State returns right back to Marty L. Miller Field on Wednesday, facing William & Mary for the second time this season. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
 
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