NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State baseball team's rally fell short to FDU on Saturday, dropping the contest 11-8 at Marty L. Miller Field.
Prior to the game, the Spartans honored their 11 seniors:
Brendan Burke,
Brayden Daulton,
Walker Fuller,
Jaydan Israel,
Emmett Jefferson,
Justin Journette,
Cameron Mazell,
Tyler Mitchell,
CJ Patterson,
Sean Stewart, and
Mac Yarbrough.
Norfolk State dropped to 19-28 overall, and 15-15 in Northeast Conference (NEC) play, while FDU improved to 31-16-1 overall and 24-6 in conference action.
Walker Fuller (0-7) took the loss for the Spartans.
Nyenati Snoh, Mitchell, Patterson, and
Yasseel Samboy appeared in relief.
Kydese Queen led Norfolk State offensively, going 2-for-5 with three RBIs and a double. Jefferson finished 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored, while Stewart went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and a walk.
Mason Mompoint added a two-run double off the bench.
Norfolk State struck first in the opening inning.
Thomas Ealey singled to center field and stole second before Journette lined an RBI single down the left field line for a 1-0 lead.
FDU answered with four runs in the third inning, capitalizing on two Spartan errors to take a 4-1 advantage. The Knights added another run in the fourth inning on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 5-1.
The Spartans cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jefferson ripped a double to left center before Queen drove him home with an RBI groundout, making the score 5-2. FDU broke the game open in the sixth inning. A two-run double and a two-run home run pushed the lead to 9-2.
Norfolk State responded immediately with five runs in the bottom half of the inning. Queen delivered a two-run double to left center before Mompoint lined a two-run double down the left field line. Israel followed with an RBI double to right field, trimming the deficit to 9-7.
The Knights answered with two more runs in the seventh inning, taking an 11-7 lead on a sacrifice fly and a passed ball. Norfolk State added one run in the eighth inning when Journette grounded out to bring home Stewart, but the Knights' bullpen held the Spartans scoreless in the final inning to pick up the win.
ON DECK
Norfolk State travels to face VMI on Tuesday, May 12 for its final midweek game of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (X/Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.
