NORFOLK, Va. --- Norfolk State rallied from an early deficit and walked off Coppin State 7-6 in 10 innings on Thursday afternoon at Marty L. Miller Field.
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Norfolk State improved to 11-16 overall and 8-5 in Northeast Conference play, while Coppin State fell to 4-20 (4-9 NEC).
Yasseel Samboy (3-0) earned the win in relief, tossing four shutout innings with five strikeouts.
Donovan Whitfield started the game, allowing four runs over four innings, while
Ryan Sellers and
Tyler Mitchell combined for two innings in relief.
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Hunter Gillespie led Norfolk State at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs.
Emmett Jefferson finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while
Kydese Queen added two RBIs.
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Coppin State struck first in the opening inning, using a two-run home run from Armando Hurtado to take an early lead. Norfolk State answered in the bottom half, as
Josiah Harrison launched a solo home run to right field, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
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The Eagles extended their lead in the second inning, scoring two runs on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to make it 4-1. Norfolk State chipped away in the fourth inning. Jefferson doubled to left field before Queen drove him in with an RBI single, trimming the margin to 4-2.
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Coppin State added two more runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by a solo home run from Pedro Agosto and a sacrifice fly, pushing the lead to 6-2.
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Norfolk State responded with a four-run sixth inning. Queen lifted a sacrifice fly to score
Ryan Hoeft before Gillespie delivered a two-run double to right-center. A wild pitch later in the inning brought home the tying run, evening the score at 6-6.
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Both teams remained scoreless through the next three innings, forcing extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th, Norfolk State loaded the bases after two hit batters and a walk. With two outs,
Jaydan Israel scored the winning run on a balk, sealing the 7-6 victory.
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Norfolk State continues its three-game series against Coppin State at Marty L. Miller Field on Friday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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