NORFOLK, Va. – Long Island started fast on Friday afternoon at Marty L. Miller Field, defeating Norfolk State 14-2 in seven innings.
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LIU poured in seven runs in the opening frame thanks to six hits, including three doubles and a triple.
Justin Journette put the Spartans on the board in the first inning with his 10
th home run of the season, placing him just one homer away from tying Norfolk State's all-time career record.
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The Sharks added four more runs in the second inning, capitalizing on three walks and a hit batter. LIU scored three more runs across the next two frames, taking a 14-1 lead.
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Donovan Whitfield took the mound during the fourth inning and immediately steadied the Spartans. The right hander immediately forced two fly balls and a strikeout, before dealing a 1-2-3 fifth inning.
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Whitfield got Norfolk State through the sixth inning unscathed, before
Walker Fuller came in to record the final two outs of the seventh. Journette continued his strong day, singling home
Cam Mazell for his second RBI of the day before the game's conclusion.
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CHECKING THE BOX SCORE
- Norfolk State starter Parker Hampton (1-2) received the loss
- LIU starter Justin DeCastro (6-3) earned the win
- Donovan Whitfield pitched 3.1 strong innings for the Spartans, allowing no earned runs and one hit while striking out three batters
- Justin Journette hit a solo home run in the first inning and an RBI single in the seventh
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NOTES
- Norfolk State dropped to 1-28 (1-16 NEC)
- LIU improved to 20-17 (14-3 NEC)
- Justin Journette hit his 10th home run of the season, placing him one homer away from tying the Norfolk State all-time career record
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ON DECK
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Norfolk State and LIU return to Marty L. Miller Field on Saturday for the series finale, with first pitch slated for 11 a.m.
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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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