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Justin Journette
Matt Patterson
8
Norfolk St. NORFOLK 0-8
19
Winner VMI VMI 10-1
Norfolk St. NORFOLK
0-8
8
Final
19
VMI VMI
10-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Norfolk St. NORFOLK 1 0 3 3 0 0 1 8 12 2
VMI VMI 4 0 3 3 6 3 X 19 16 1

W: M. Alstine (1-0) L: Royster, Liam (0-2)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Alex Lehmbeck, Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Communication

Journette, Ritter Homer in Loss at VMI

LEXINGTON, Va. – Norfolk State could not keep up with a powerful VMI lineup on Sunday afternoon, falling 19-8 in seven innings at Lamore Field.
 
Jamal Ritter went 3-for-3 with three RBI's, hitting his third home run of the season in the process. Justin Journette added three hits including a solo home run. The Spartans (0-8) totaled 12 hits, but VMI (10-1) racked up 16 hits while stealing six bases.
 
For the seventh time in eight games, Jaydan Israel got on base in his first at-bat as the Spartans' leadoff hitter. The Keydets caught him coming home on a Jalan Jones double, but Journette brought Jones in with a single shortly after to give NSU a 1-0 lead.
 
VMI responded with five hits in the bottom of the first inning, scoring four runs in the process. Norfolk State couldn't get anything going offensively in the second, but starting pitcher Liam Royster forced a ground ball double play to get out of the frame unscathed defensively.
 
Journette's second at-bat resulted in a deep solo home run, soaring over the videoboard in left field. Collin Curry brought two more runners home on a single later in the inning, tying the game 4-4. VMI scored three runs in the fourth inning thanks in part to a fly ball lost in the sun, but Norfolk State continued to battle. Ritter picked up two RBIs with a triple, before Rhodes tied the game 7-7 with a single immediately after.
 
Cole Raile launched a solo home run to put the Keydets back in short order, though, sparking a three-run fourth inning and six-run fifth inning that put VMI firmly in control, 16-7.
 
Ritter gave the Spartans some positive momentum before the game's conclusion, knocking a solo home run to right field in the seventh inning. CHECKING THE BOX SCORE
  • Norfolk State starter Liam Royster (0-2) was credited with the loss
  • VMI pitcher Marcus Van Alstine (1-0) earned the win
  • Saturday's game featured five home runs – two by Norfolk State and three by VMI
  • Jamal Ritter went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a solo home run
  • Justin Journette went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a solo home run
  • Jalan Jones added two hits, two runs, and two stolen bases
 
NOTES
  • Norfolk State dropped to 0-8 on the season with the loss
  • VMI improved to 10-1 with the win
  • Justin Journette hit his fourth home run of the season
  • Jamal Ritter hit his third home run of the season
  • Jaydan Israel got on base in his first at-bat of the day as the Spartans' leadoff hitter for the seventh time in eight games
 
ON DECK
 
Norfolk State remains on the road for another-in state series, playing two games against Virginia Tech. The Spartans and Hokies will meet first on Tuesday, Mar. 4 at 4 p.m.
 
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (X), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.
 
 
 
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