NORFOLK,  Va. – The Norfolk State baseball team dropped both games of a Friday doubleheader against Mercyhurst, falling 6-4 in Game 1 and 9-5 in Game 2 at Marty L. Miller Field.
 
Norfolk State recognized Justin Journette prior to the afternoon's first matchup, giving the junior outfielder a commemorative bat after becoming the program's all-time career home runs leader last week at Central Connecticut State.

Home run king 👑#GoldStandard🔰 pic.twitter.com/FfJmxpHuVx

— Norfolk State Baseball (@SpartanBSB) May 2, 2025

Game 1 – MU 6, NSU 4
 
Norfolk State started the opening game in ideal fashion. Ethan Blakeney got through the first inning unscathed, before the Spartans produced a three-inning outburst in their first chance at the plate. Emmett Jefferson singled home a pair of baserunners, before Robert Beatty and Jefferson pulled off a double steal from the corners of the diamond to take a 3-0 lead.
 
Mercyhurst responded quickly, hitting a solo home run in the second inning before scoring another off a wild pitch. The Lakers tied things up in the fourth with an RBI single from Joey Trivisio.
 
Yasseel Samboy took the mound with bases loaded in the fourth inning, immediately getting the Spartans out of the jam by forcing a popout to the shortstop. He fanned three batters in the fifth inning, before working a 1-2-3 sixth inning.
 
Mercyhurst got a runner in scoring position in the seventh inning, but Samboy dispatched the next two batters to move the Spartans to the eighth. The right-handed pitcher tagged on two more strikeouts from there, sending Norfolk State to the bottom half of the inning tied 3-3.
 
Kydese Queen started the offensive push in the eighth inning with a single up the middle. After advancing on a wild pitch, Queen scored from an RBI single delivered by Cam Mazell to give the Spartans a one-run advantage.
 
After four shutdown innings from Samboy, the Lakers finally got hot in the ninth inning. Mercyhurst registered three hits to score three runs, taking a 6-4 lead.
 
Brendan Burke produced a leadoff double in the ninth inning, but Nolan Kirsch secured three straight outs from there to close out the comeback victory for Mercyhurst.  
 
Game 2 – MU 9, NSU 5
 
Parker Hampton started on the mound for NSU in the second game, dealing with some control issues early. The sophomore walked three batters in the opening frame, settling down to limit the damage to one run.
 
Mercyhurst capitalized on a throwing error in the second inning, as well as a passed ball, adding two runs. The Lakers scored again in the third, taking a 4-0 advantage.
 
The Spartans got on the board in the bottom half of the third inning, thanks to a double from Jones to left centerfield. Mercyhurst went ahead 6-1 with a pair of runs in the fourth, but Beatty responded with a two-run homer to pull NSU within three.
 
Tyler Mitchell came in to pitch the fifth frame, tossing a scoreless inning. The Spartans couldn't get anything going offensively in their ensuing opportunity, before Mercyhurst added a run in the sixth.
 
Mitchell struck out the side during the seventh inning, but Norfolk State failed to get a runner on base in the bottom half of the frame. Mercyhurst expanded the lead to six runs in the eighth inning, but NSU scored once as well to keep fighting.
 
Walker Fuller pitched an efficient ninth inning, striking out the side. The Spartans got four consecutive batters on base looking for a last-effort rally, scoring on an RBI single to left field. The Lakers turned a double play on the next at-bat, though, to close out the game.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE – GAME 1

• Norfolk State reliever Yasseel Samboy (0-1) received the loss
• Mercyhurst reliever Nolan Kirsch (1-4) earned the win
• Robert Beatty stole home while Emmett Jefferson took second base for a double steal in the first inning
• Samboy tossed four scoreless innings before allowing two earned runs in the ninth

 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE – GAME 2

• Norfolk State starter Parker Hampton (1-4) received the loss
• Mercyhurst starter Jacob Bazala (6-3) earned the win
• Robert Beatty launched the third home run of his career, a two-run shot to right field in the fourth inning
• Cam Mazell went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles

 
NOTES

• Norfolk State dropped to 2-34 (2-21 NEC)
• Mercyhurst improved to 14-30 (12-14 NEC)
• Norfolk State recognized Justin Journette prior to Friday's first game, after the junior outfielder became Norfolk State's all-time home run leader with his 36^th and 37^th home runs last week at Central Connecticut State

 
ON DECK
 
Norfolk State and Mercyhurst will conclude the series on Saturday afternoon, with first pitch slated for 1 p.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.