NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State baseball team produced a 13-7 victory against Maryland Eastern Shore on Friday afternoon, splitting the doubleheader between the teams.
 
Freshman Myles Crocker made the most of his opportunity in the second game, going 4-of-5 at the plate with two doubles, three runs and two RBIs. Walker Fuller closed things out with 2.0 perfect innings in relief.
 
Game 1 – UMES 8, NSU 6
 
Maryland Eastern Shore struck first in Game 1 on an RBI base hit in the first inning. The Spartans answered back, getting their first four batters on base to tie the game 1-1. UMES limited the damage from there, though, producing back-to-back strikeouts and a groundout to get out of the inning.
 
A fast-bouncing triple down the right field line put UMES back in front in the second inning, but the Spartans once again responded quickly. Jaydan Israel hit his first home run of the season, a two-run shot to right centerfield to push NSU ahead 3-2.
 
Robert Beatty contributed a sacrifice flyout shortly after to expand the cushion. After a shaky start on the mound, Ethan Blakeney buckled down to hold UMES scoreless over the next two frames.
 
Maryland Eastern Shore found a spark in the fifth inning, capitalizing on three walks to tie the game 4-4. The frame marked the end of Blakeney's outing, as Reid Driskill took the mound for the rest of the opening matchup.
 
A solo homer pushed the Hawks in front in the sixth inning, getting another run on the board on an NSU throwing error. The first three batters for NSU got on base in the sixth inning to pull the Spartans within one, before Justin Journette hit a double to the outfield fence, driving in the tying run at 6-6.
 
Maryland Eastern Shore earned the go-ahead score in the eighth inning on a single from Ryan Howe. The Hawks added an insurance run in the ninth, holding off the heart of Norfolk State's lineup to clinch the victory.
 
Game 2 – NSU 13, UMES 7
 
The Spartans took firm control early of the second game with an explosive first inning. Ritter got things started with a double down the line, heading home a few batters later by pulling off a double steal with Jones – who scored as well on an errant throw by the UMES catcher.
 
Crocker made his way into the starting lineup for the second game, taking advantage of each at-bat. The Winston-Salem native produced an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning to push NSU ahead 3-0.
 
Norfolk State eventually batted through the order in the first inning, scoring the final run of the frame on a bases-loaded walk by Ritter to take a 5-0 lead. Crocker contributed an RBI double in the second inning, as the Spartans built up a 7-0 advantage.
 
Maryland Eastern Shore made up over half the gap in the fourth inning, scoring four runs on three hits. Crocker answered with a double in the bottom half of the inning, advancing to third and scoring on a wild pitch and ensuing throwing error.
 
The Hawks got a run back in the sixth inning, but Norfolk State continued to extinguish the road team's momentum. Terrance Rhodes crushed a deep two-run homer in the bottom half of the sixth inning, soaring well over the second fence in right field.
 
The scoring burst didn't stop there. Israel and Ritter both crossed home plate just a few minutes later on a double from Journette, before Queen gave the Spartans a 13-5 lead with a hard-hit single.
 
UMES added two runs in the seventh inning, but the rally came to a quick halt. Walker Fuller pitched two flawless final frames for NSU, closing out the victory with an emphatic strikeout.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE – GAME 1

• Norfolk State reliever Reid Driskill (0-4) received the loss
• Maryland Eastern Shore reliever Tha'Mon McGriff (1-1) earned the win
• Jalan Jones went 3-of-4 at the plate and scored one run
• Jaydan Israel hit a two-run home run in the second inning

 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE – GAME 2

• Norfolk State starter Parker Hampton (2-4) earned the win
• UMES starter Jacob Carter Champey (1-7) received the loss
• Freshman Myles Crocker went 4-of-5 at the plate with two doubles, three runs, and two RBIs
• Terrence Rhodes hit a two-run home run to right field in the sixth inning
• Walker Fuller pitched 2.0 perfect innings to close out the game, striking out three batters without allowing a single player on base

 
NOTES

• Norfolk State's record moved to 4-37 (4-25 NEC)
• Maryland Eastern Shore is now 6-41 (5-24 NEC)
• Jaydan Israel hit his first home run of the season during Game 1
• Terrence Rhodes hit his first home run of the season during Game 2

 
ON DECK
 
Norfolk State and Maryland Eastern will conclude the series and regular season on Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m. The Spartans will hold senior day ceremonies at 11:30 a.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.