DOVER, Del. – The Norfolk State baseball team lost a pair of one-run showdowns on Saturday afternoon against Delaware State, falling 12-11 in Game 1 and 11-10 in Game 2.
 
Game 1 – DSU 12, NSU 11
 
Delaware State junior Alec Rodriguez began the high-scoring affair with a two-run homer during the first inning, giving the Hornets an early advantage.
 
Making his return from injury, Jaydan Israel left right where he left off with an RBI single in his first at-bat since Apr. 12. The junior shortstop put together a strong outing, scoring three runs and driving in three more.
 
Jalan Jones doubled to bring Israel home, tying the game 2-2 in the second inning. The Hornets capitalized on three Spartan errors in the bottom half of the frame, though, taking a 5-2 lead.
 
Jamal Ritter put his speed on display in the fourth inning, after an RBI single got the outfielder on board. He proceeded to steal both second and third base, advancing home on an errant throw from the Delaware State catcher.
 
Rodriguez answered right back, though, blasting his second two-run homer of the game to expand the cushion. Jaryn Sample hit another over the fence on the following at-bat, giving Delaware State an 8-4.
 
Jones doubled in the sixth inning to score Israel and Christian Velez, before Kydese Queen brought home Ritter on a sacrifice fly. Norfolk State kept the momentum going with another three runs in the seventh, thanks to a double from Israel and a sacrifice flyout from Ritter.
 
The momentum swing gave Norfolk State a 10-8 lead, but Delaware State added a pair of runs in the seventh to tie things up. The Hornets went ahead 12-10 in the eighth with three consecutive hits to start the inning, putting the Spartans on their heels.
 
Israel and Ritter placed themselves in scoring position with hits to start the ninth inning, but the Hornets limited the damage just one run to survive the first game.
 
Game 2 – DSU 11, NSU 10
 
Justin Journette and Robert Beatty gave Norfolk State a 2-0 lead in the first inning, each tallying an RBI.
 
Delaware State tied the game in the third inning on a two-RBI single to right field. The Hornets added two more runs in the fourth inning with a quick rally, taking a 4-2 lead.
 
The low-scoring battle continued until the seventh inning, when Jamal Ritter broke the cold streak with a leadoff home run. Beatty tied the game 4-4 a few moments later, hitting a single to bring home Queen.
 
The Spartans poured in six runs in the eighth inning to take control, starting with strong baserunner from Velez. The first-year outfielder stole second, before advancing on a bunt and scoring on a wild pitch to push Norfolk State in front. The Spartans earned five more walks in the same inning from there, going ahead 10-4.
 
The Hornets got two runs back in the eighth inning, going to the ninth with a four-run deficit. Delaware State rallied in the final attempt, drawing multiple walks and hit batters to fill the bases. DSU scored five runs in the inning, putting the game away with a walkoff single from Jabril Bullock.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE – GAME 1

• Norfolk State reliever Yasseel Samboy (0-2) received the loss
• Delaware State reliever Justin Batts (1-0) earned the win
• Jaydan Israel logged three runs and three RBIs in his first game back since Apr. 12
• Jalan Jones went 3-of-6 at the plate with three RBIs

 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE – GAME 2

• Norfolk State reliever Reid Driskill (0-3) received the loss
• Delaware State reliever Jacob Bazala (1-0) earned the win
• Justin Journette went 3-of-5 at the plate with one RBI
• Jaydan Israel drew three walks and recorded one hit

 
NOTES

• Norfolk State dropped to 3-35 (3-23 NEC)
• Delaware State improved to 6-31 (5-21 NEC)

 
ON DECK
 
Norfolk State and Delaware State will conclude the series on Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m.
 
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