NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State baseball team put together one of its strongest performances of the year on Saturday, taking down Longwood 8-2 behind a complete game from Nolan Manzer.
 
Filling in for injured Jamal Ritter in centerfield, Emmett Jefferson stepped up to the occasion. The Norfolk native produced six RBI's, logging two extra base hits. Manzer struck out seven batters as the Spartans improved to 10-26, while Longwood dropped to 17-21.
 
Typically, in the closing role for the Spartans, Manzer made his first start of the season on Wednesday. He looked immediately comfortable, getting through the first two frames unscathed with just two hits allowed.
 
The Spartans opened things up in the bottom of the second. After a leadoff single from Manny Jackson, Brendan Burke got NSU on the board with an RBI single to right field a few moments later. Before the Lancers had a chance to regroup, Jefferson launched a three-run home run to push the Spartans ahead 4-0.
 
Longwood got a couple back in the third, loading the bases early with no outs on the board. The Spartans recorded outs on the next three plays, but a pair of Lancers got home in the process a Longwood cut the deficit in half.
 
Justin Journette put the momentum right back in the Spartans favor, producing a solo homer to lead off the bottom half of the fifth inning.
 
Maintaining a low pitch count, Manzer continued his spectacular performance deep into the ballgame. The Maury High School product got out of multiple daunting jams, trusting his defense to make plays in key situations.
 
The Spartans took complete control in the eighth inning. Cam Mazell, Swaroop Pujari, and Burke produced successful at-bats with two outs on the board, before Jefferson cleared the bases with a triple to right center to give Norfolk State an 8-2 advantage.
 
A string of pinch hitters helped loaded the bases for Longwood in the ninth inning, but Manzer struck out Hayden Harris to complete the first complete game of his career.
 
UP NEXT


The Spartans continue NEC play with another homestand this weekend, facing the Merrimack Warriors. First pitch of the series opener is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 19.
 
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