EASTON, Mass. --- The Norfolk State baseball team dropped a 3-2 decision to Stonehill on Friday afternoon at Lou Gorman Field.
Norfolk State fell to 19-30 overall, while Stonehill improved to 20-27.
Ethan Blakeney (5-5) took the loss for the Spartans after striking out three across seven innings.
CJ Patterson pitched one scoreless inning in relief.
Jaydan Israel paced Norfolk State offensively, going 1-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base.
Cameron Mazell finished 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, while
Josiah Harrison collected two hits.
Thomas Ealey added an RBI sacrifice fly for the Spartans.
Stonehill broke through in the bottom of the third inning with three runs on four hits. Michael Rickert drove in the first run with an RBI single before Jamison Howland added an RBI single to left field. The Skyhawks later scored on a caught stealing rundown to take a 3-0 lead.
Norfolk State threatened throughout the game, but left runners stranded in multiple scoring opportunities. The Spartans placed runners on base in the third, sixth, and seventh innings but could not break through against Stonehill starter Jimmy Gilleran.
The Spartans rallied in the eighth inning.
Hunter Gillespie opened the frame with a walk before Israel singled through the right side. Ealey lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Gillespie, cutting the deficit to 3-1. After Israel stole second base, Mazell lined an RBI single through the right side to bring Norfolk State within one run.
Stonehill escaped further damage in the inning and preserved the lead in the ninth after Jack Welsch retired the final two batters to earn the save.
ON DECK
Norfolk State and Stonehill will conclude the series with a doubleheader on Saturday, May 16. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
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