NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State baseball team split a Saturday doubleheader against Manhattan at Marty L. Miller Field, dropping game one 13-4 before rallying for an 11-10 win in a seven-inning thriller.
 
Norfolk State moved to 2-4 on the season, while Manhattan improved to 3-4. Parker Hampton earned the win in game two to improve to 1-0, while Walker Fuller took the loss in the opener.
 
GAME ONE: NORFOLK STATE 4, MANHATTAN 13
Manhattan struck first in the opener, using a leadoff double and an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Norfolk State answered in the bottom half of the inning. Thomas Ealey reached base and stole second before Justin Journette lined an RBI single up the middle to even the score at 1-1.
 
After a scoreless second, the Jaspers broke the game open in the third, scoring eight runs on six hits and capitalizing on two Spartan errors to take a 9-1 advantage. Manhattan added another run in the fourth following a Norfolk State fielding error to extend the lead to 10-1.
 
The Spartans responded in the bottom of the fourth. After putting two runners in scoring position, Norfolk State scored on a Manhattan throwing error before Jalan Jones drilled a two-run double to right-center, trimming the deficit to 10-4.
 
Manhattan added a run in the sixth and two more in the seventh to seal the 13-4 win. Norfolk State loaded the bases in the eighth, but the Jaspers escaped the jam to close out the game.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Manhattan defeated Norfolk State 13-4
• Ealey finished 2-for-5 with a triple, a run scored, and a stolen base
• Mason Mompoint went 2-for-5
• Cameron Mazell went 2-for-4 with a run scored
• Nyenati Snoh struck out six across 4.1 innings
• Fuller struck out four in 2.2 innings
• Manhattan scored eight runs in the third inning
• NSU outscored Manhattan 3-1 in the fourth

 
GAME 2: NORFOLK STATE 11, MANHATTAN 10 (F/7)
Norfolk State jumped out early in the second game of the day to avoid a sweep. Journette opened the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning before Ryan Hoeft reached on a fielding error that allowed another run to score, giving the Spartans a 3-0 lead.
 
Manhattan got on the board in the second with an RBI double, but Norfolk State answered immediately. Thomas White walked and scored on a Manhattan throwing error after a single by Ealey to make it 4-1.
 
In the third, Hoeft laid down a sacrifice bunt to move runners into scoring position before Mazell singled through the right side to plate Journette. White followed with an RBI single, and Jones added another RBI base hit to extend the lead to 7-1.
 
Manhattan scored once in the fourth, but the Spartans responded again. Norfolk State loaded the bases to start the inning, and Hoeft delivered an RBI single to center. The Spartans then tacked on three more runs, capped by a double down the right-field line, to take an 11-2 lead.
 
The Jaspers mounted a comeback in the sixth, scoring six runs on four hits to cut the deficit to three. Manhattan added two more in the seventh to pull within one, but Norfolk State recorded two flyouts to close out the victory.
 
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE

• Norfolk State defeated Manhattan 11-10
• Journette went 2-for-3 with three runs, two RBIs, and a double
• White finished 2-for-2 with four RBIs, a run and a stolen base
•  Ealey stole two bases
• Hampton struck out four in 4.0 innings
• Norfolk State held Manhattan scoreless in the first and third innings
• Manhattan outscored Norfolk State 6-0 in the sixth

 
NEWS & NOTES

• Norfolk State stands at 2-4 on the season
• Manhattan improved to 3-4
• The Jaspers lead the all-time series 5-1
• Sunday's series finale was canceled due to inclement weather

 
UP NEXT
Norfolk State hosts cross-town rival Old Dominion on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 3 p.m. at Marty L. Miller Field.
 
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