RICHMOND, Va. – The Norfolk State baseball team brought offensive firepower on Tuesday, but it wasn't enough to take down in-state foe Rival at Pitt Field.
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The Spiders (18-23) scored 13 runs in the first three innings of play, holding off a late Spartan (11-29) surge to come away with a 17-10 victory.
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Norfolk State got off to a quick start in the state capital, as freshman
Jalan Jones launched a two-run homer on the second at-bat of the afternoon. The Spartans got one more run across a few minutes later, taking a 3-0 advantage into the first break.
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Despite the Spartans strong opening inning, Richmond went into the second inning with a one-run advantage, scoring four runs on three hits in the first frame. The Spiders added a three-run homer in the second, going ahead 7-3.
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Richmond took complete control in the third inning. The first six batters of the inning reached base safely, including a grand slam homer from Jack Aracamone. The Spiders added two more runs on a wild pitch and base hit to earn a 13-3 advantage.
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A two-run homer in the fifth inning expanded Richmond's lead to 12, before the Spartans started their rally with three runs in the seventh.
Justin Journette capped off the inning with a two-run shot to right field, his 12
th home run of the season.
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Norfolk State continued to battle, as
Brendan Burke produced an eight-inning home run to right center.
Jamal Ritter scored on a wild pitch later in the frame, as Norfolk Sate closed the gap to 15-9.
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Richmond added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Raphael Rodriguez recorded an RBI single in the ninth, but the Spiders closed out the game with a strikeout and pickoff at first base.
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UP NEXT
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The Spartans hit the road for a conference series at Sacred Heart this weekend. First pitch of the series opener is set for Friday at 3 p.m.
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