DOVER, Del. – The Delaware State baseball team overcame Norfolk State with a powerful ninth inning rally on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Spartans 7-6 at Bob Reed Field.
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DSU took a 1-0 advantage in the first inning, taking advantage of a dropped fly ball with two outs on the board. The Spartans returned the favor in the third inning, scoring two runs on a single from
Robert Beatty followed by an error by the Hornets' right fielder.
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Norfolk State loaded the bases with no outs in the third, getting one run out of the situation on a sacrifice fly from
Justin Journette.
Brendan Burke launched a solo home run to left field in the fifth inning, pushing Norfolk State ahead 4-1.
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Delaware State responded right back, scoring two runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning. A wild pitch got the first runner home, before Alec Rodriguez singled in the second run which cut the gap to 4-3.
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After
Jamal Ritter drew a leadoff walk in the sixth inning,
Jalan Jones belted a two-run homer to left field to give Norfolk State a 6-3 advantage.
Nathaniel Varnier got the Spartans through the next two frames scoreless, continuing his strong month by giving up just two earned runs in 6.2 innings of action.
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Walker Fuller got the Spartans to the ninth with the score intact, holding a 6-3 advantage. The Hornets' bats came alive against Fuller,
Liam Royster, and
Donovan Whitfield in the final inning, though, racking up four runs to earn a second consecutive walkoff victory.
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CHECKING THE BOX SCORE
- Norfolk State Donovan Whitfield (0-1) received the loss
- Delaware State reliever Justin Batts (2-0) earned the win, his second of the series
- Robert Beatty went 2-of-4 with two RBIs
- NSU starter Nathaniel Varner pitched 6.2 innings, allowing just two earned runs with five strikeouts Â
NOTES
- Norfolk State dropped to 3-36 (3-24 NEC)
- Delaware State improved to 7-31 (6-21 NEC)
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ON DECK
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Norfolk State returns home to conclude its season with a three-game conference series against Maryland Eastern Shore, starting with a 3 p.m. matchup on Thursday, May 15.
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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.