NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State baseball team couldn't muster enough offensive firepower to make a mark on Friday, dropping both games of a season-opening doubleheader against Mount St. Mary's (Md.).
 
The Mountaineers earned 14-0 and 6-0 victories at Marty L. Miller Field, holding the Spartans to six hits for the afternoon.
 
Mount St. Mary's knocked through a two-run homer against starting pitcher Walker Fuller to get things started in the second inning of the first game, adding three more runs in the third frame. Ethan Blakeney took the mound shortly after, pitching 4.1 innings before Ryan Sellers closed out the ninth.
 
 The Mountaineers racked up 16 hits during the first game, leaving 11 players on base. Brendan Burke got the Spartans in scoring position with a triple towards right field, but Norfolk State couldn't capitalize.
 
Making his first appearance in a Norfolk State uniform, Nathaniel Varnier allowed two home runs in the first inning of the second game. The left-handed pitcher steadied from there, pitching scoreless second and third frames.
 
The Mountaineers took a 4-0 lead with a score in the fourth inning, as the Spartans struggled to get offensive momentum back. Serigne Sarr and Tommy Moore combined for nine scoreless innings to shut the Spartans out in the second game of the doubleheader, striking out 17 batters while allowing just one hit.
 
Norfolk State and Mount St. Mary's will conclude the series at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning.
 
Norfolk State returns home to face Coppin State on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 4 p.m., before heading to Baltimore for a meeting with Morgan State two days later.
 
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