NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State could not finish off an upset effort against one of the top teams in the NEC on Thursday, falling 4-3 against LIU at Marty L. Miller Field.
 
Ethan Blakeney put together a valiant effort on the mound for the Spartans, tossing a no-hitter through six innings before allowing three runs in the seventh.
 
Blakeney got off to a flawless start, tossing a 1-2-3 first inning in maximal efficiency. He kept the trend going in the second frame, forcing a groundout and two flyballs.
 
Continuing to stifle the opposition, Blakeney tallied two strikeouts in the third inning and another two in the fourth. After fanning two batters in the fifth inning, his stat line looked impeccable, dismissing all 15 batters with seven strikeouts.
 
The Spartans could not get anything going offensively, as both starting pitchers dueled things out. Blakeney allowed his first baserunner of the day in the seventh inning on a walk but forced a quick lineout to left field to avoid any damage.
 
Norfolk State got on the board immediately after, putting together a rally that started with a Terrence Rhodes getting hit by a pitch. Burke laid down a strong bunt that resulted in a hit, before Jalan Jones gave Norfolk State a 2-0 lead with a triple to right centerfield.

Journette ripped a double down the line on the next at-bat, expanding Norfolk State's lead to 3-0.

Noah Sorenson broke up the no-hitter powerfully, launching a solo home run to start the seventh inning. The Sharks got several runners on base from there, taking advantage of the brief open window.
 
Norfolk State reliever Reid Driskill caught a baserunner stealing home to get out of the inning, but not before LIU tied the game 3-3. LIU starter Garrett Yawn steadied himself immediately, striking out the side in response.
 
Driskilll got through the eighth inning unscathed, but Yawn added three more strikeouts in the bottom half of the frame to keep the battle even. Mac Yarbrough the ninth inning for the Spartans, allowing a solo home run to put LIU in front.
 
LIU put RJ Latkowski on the mound to close things out, dispatching three batters for the finishing touches.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Norfolk State reliever Mac Yarbrough (0-2) received the loss
• LIU starter Garrett Yawn (6-2) earned the win
• Blakeney pitched six innings without a hit, finishing the afternoon with three hits and three earned runs allowed with eight strikeouts
• Yawn tossed 8.0 innings and struck out 13 batters, allowing six hits and three earned runs
• RJ Latkowski picked up his third save of the season for LIU

 
NOTES

• Norfolk State dropped to 1-27 (1-15 NEC)
• LIU improved to 19-17 (13-3 NEC)

 
ON DECK
 
Norfolk State and LIU return to Marty L. Miller Field on Friday for game two, with first pitch slated for 1 p.m.
 
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