LEXINGTON, Va. – The Norfolk State baseball team put together a furious comeback in the late innings of Saturday's ballgame, but a walk-off single in the ninth gave VMI a 13-12 victory at Gray-Minor Stadium.
 
Norfolk State (0-7) scored first for the second consecutive day against the Keydets, getting a run across the plate in the first frame. VMI (9-1) logged a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning, before adding four runs in the third inning to take control.
 
After Terrence Rhodes, Brendan Burke, and freshman Myles Crock got on base in consecutive at-bats, shortstop Jaydan Israel sent a single to centerfield to bring in two runs. Two home runs for VMI in the next two innings, however, put the Keydets ahead 8-3.
 
Norfolk State continued to chip away at the gap. Jalan Jones and Jamal Ritter sent each of their second home runs this season over the outfield wall during the seventh inning, cutting the deficit to 8-6.
 
The power-hitting battle didn't stop there. VMI launched a three-run homer in the bottom half of the inning, as well as a solo shot past left field, to take a 12-6 advantage.
 
Burke and Kydese Queen got on base in the eighth before Israel brought them both home with a triple down the right field line. VMI switched pitchers, but it didn't slow NSU down. Jones and Ritter singled in their next at-bats and Journette cleared the bases with a three-run homer to right centerfield.
 
The six-run eighth inning tied the game 12-12. Reid Driskill pitched a scoreless frame for the Spartans, but Norfolk State couldn't muster any offensive in the ninth. VMI got a pair of runners in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth, setting up a walk-off single from senior James Newsome.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Norfolk State reliever Reid Driskill (0-1) was credited with the loss
• VMI pitcher Evan Parmer (1-0) earned the win
• Saturday's game featured eight home runs – three by Norfolk State and five by VMI
• Jalan Jones, Jamal Ritter, and Justin Journette each hit a home run for the Spartans
• Driskill allowed one earned run in 1.2 innings on the mound
• Jaydan Israel went 3-for-3 at the plate with four RBI's and a walk

 
NOTES

• Norfolk State dropped to 0-7 on the season with the loss
• VMI improved to 9-1 with the win

 
ON DECK
 
Norfolk State and VMI closes their weekend series on Sunday, with first pitch slated for 1 p.m. at Lamore Field.
 
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