NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State baseball team dropped a pair of tight battles against Delaware State on Friday by scores of 6-5 and 2-6 at Marty L. Miller Field.
John Horton pitched a gem for the Spartans (7-19, 4-7 NEC) during the second matchup, allowing just two hits in seven innings of work. A six-run ninth inning rally by DSU (6-16, 5-6) stole the win from Norfolk State's grasp, however.
NSU started strong in both games with big first innings. The Spartans scored three runs in the opening frame of the first game, powered by RBI singles from
Manny Jackson and
Kydese Queen.
Delaware State got a pair of runs back in the second from a NSU defensive error, tying the game midway through the matchup.
Kydese Queen crossed home plate in the Spartans' next offensive opportunity, but Delaware State took a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning as the back-and-forth battle continued.
Camrin Sturgeon found a gap in the right side for an RBI single, but an insurance run in the previous half inning from DSU made the difference in the outcome.
The Spartans tallied two runs in the opening inning of the second game of the doubleheader, as Queen ripped a single into center field.
Both teams couldn't muster many scoring opportunities for the majority of the game from there. Horton racked up five strikeouts, allowing just five baserunners in seven innings of action.
Nolan Manzer made a relief appearance in eighth inning, immediately getting into a groove, striking out the side.
The Hornets saved all their offensive firepower for the last inning, though. Delaware State loaded the bases with three singles to lead things off, tying the game with back-to-back walks.
Chris Amparo eventually cleared the bases with a double down the right field line, bringing in three runs as DSU took a 6-2 lead.
The Spartans battled in the final stretch, as
Jamal Ritter,
Justin Journette, and
Manny Jackson each singled to bring the tying run to the plate. Delaware State came up with a strikeout to end the game on the next at-bat, though, taking the second game of the afternoon.
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