EASTON, Mass. – Stonehill rallied in the closing stretches of Sunday's game to stay alive, taking down Norfolk State 8-7 in 10 innings at Lou Gorman Field.
Â
The Skyhawks (18-25, 13-14 NEC) started the afternoon powerfully. After two leadoff hits, Trey Ciulla-Hall drilled a three-run homer to get Stonehill on the board first.
Â
Another score in the second inning gave the Skyhawks a 4-0 advantage, but the Spartans (12-38, 7-23) responded swiftly.
Justin Journette drilled a two-run homer in the third inning, his 15
th long ball of the season.
Â
Manny Jackson and Kydese queen produced doubles in quick succession shortly after, pulling the Spartans within one.
Â
Three scoreless innings followed, as Norfolk State starting pitcher
Liam Royster found a groove. The sophomore finished the afternoon with seven strikeouts in seven innings of action.
Â
Jamal Ritter doubled down the right field line in the seventh inning, driving in two runs in the process. The centerfielder stole third immediately after, getting home on a ground ball moments later to give Norfolk State a 6-4 lead.
Â
Ritter earned his third RBI of the day in the ninth, logging a single to score
Raphael Rodriguez. Stonehill rallied in the bottom half of the inning, though, tallying three runs on four hits to tie the game 7-7.
Â
After the Spartans came up short in the tenth inning, Conor Kiely provided the walk off single to win the series for Stonehill.
Â
UP NEXT
Â
Norfolk State will conclude the regular season at home next weekend, hosting Le Moyne for a three-game series from May 16-18.
Â
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.
Â