NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State baseball team battled back from a 7-2 deficit to force extra innings on Sunday afternoon but couldn't overcome a setback 10^th inning as Coppin State defeated the Spartans 10-7 at Marty L. Miller Field.
 
Neither team could muster any offensive firepower in the first two innings, but Coppin State opened things up in the third. Chris Marte sent a three-run homer into right field, setting the tone early.
 
The Spartans got two back in the bottom half of the inning, when Jalan Jones singled up the middle to bring in Jamal Ritter and Cam Mazell. The Eagles expanded their lead in the fourth inning and fifth innings, though, taking a 7-2 advantage fueled by strong baserunning.
 
Norfolk State got another run in the board with a sacrifice fly shortly after, before Manny Jackson launched a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning. The Spartans continued to chip away at the deficit, as Kydese Queen contributed an RBI single before a wild pitch brought the Spartans within one, 7-6.
 
Mac Yarbrough entered the ballgame on the mound for Norfolk State in the eighth inning, getting right to work. The sophomore left hander struck out four of his first five batters faced, sending the Spartans to the bottom of the ninth unscathed.
 
With their backs against the wall, the Spartans continued to fight. Ritter got on base and stole second but couldn't dodge the tag on a fielder's choice situation. Jones got into scoring position immediately after, however, stealing second during a pickoff attempt.
 
Justin Journette stepped up to the plate, one day after striking out in a similar situation to end the second game of the series. The sophomore made sure he took advantage this time around, sending a double to right field to score Jones, tying the game 7-7.
 
The hit sent the game into extra innings, but Coppin State regrouped quickly in the 10th. A double down the left field line scored two runs for the Eagles, before a wild pitch added one more.
 
Mazell worked a full-count walk with two outs on the board in the bottom half of the inning, but the Spartans could not get any more baserunners, as Liam McCallum closed out the game with a strikeout.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Spartans return to Marty L. Miller Field on Wednesday, Apr. 17 to face Longwood, the third meeting of the season with the Lancers. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
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