NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State baseball team fell to Fairleigh Dickinson 10-8 in a tightly contested game on Saturday afternoon at Marty L. Miller Field.
Norfolk State dropped to 19-27 overall, and 15-14 in Northeast Conference (NEC) play, while Fairleigh Dickinson improved to 30-16-1 overall and 23-6 in conference action.
Donovan Whitfield (0-3) took the loss in relief for the Spartans.
Parker Hampton drew the start for the Spartans, while
CJ Patterson and
Ryan Sellers also saw action in relief.
Cameron Mazell led Norfolk State offensively, going 3-for-5 with a home run and an RBI.
Ryan Hoeft finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while
Thomas Ealey recorded two hits and scored twice.
Justin Journette added two RBIs and reached base three times.
Norfolk State opened the scoring in the second inning when Mazell launched a solo home run to right field for a 1-0 lead. Fairleigh Dickinson answered in the third inning with two home runs, taking a 3-1 advantage.
NSU responded immediately in the bottom half of the third inning.
Kydese Queen singled to start the rally before Ealey drove in a run with a single to right field. Journette followed with a two-run single to left field, giving the Spartans a 4-3 lead.
Josiah Harrison later produced an RBI fielder's choice to extend the advantage to 5-3.
The Spartans added another run in the fifth inning. Harrison singled and stole second before Hoeft delivered an RBI single to right field, pushing the lead to 6-3. FDU cut into the deficit in the sixth inning with two runs, before erupting for four runs in the seventh inning to reclaim a 9-6 lead.
Norfolk State battled back in the bottom of the seventh inning. Hoeft ripped an RBI single through the right side before Queen drew a bases-loaded walk to score another run, trimming the deficit to 9-8.
The Knights added an insurance run in the ninth inning on a wild pitch. NSU brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom half of the inning, but FDU closed out the victory with two strikeouts in the inning.
ON DECK
Norfolk State closes its three-game series against Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday, May 10, at Marty L. Miller Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
SENIOR DAY
Norfolk State will honor its seniors tomorrow prior to first pitch, beginning at approximately 11:35 a.m.
The 11 seniors who will be recognized are as follows:
Brendan Burke,
Brayden Daulton,
Walker Fuller,
Jaydan Israel,
Emmett Jefferson,
Justin Journette,
Cameron Mazell,
Tyler Mitchell,
CJ Patterson,
Sean Stewart, and
Mac Yarbrough.
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.
