LEXINGTON, Va. --- The Norfolk State baseball team fell to VMI 15-5 in seven innings on Tuesday evening at Gray-Minor Stadium.
Norfolk State dropped to 19-29 overall, while VMI improved to 28-23.
Josiah Harrison (0-2) took the loss for the Spartans, while
Ryan Sellers,
James Godfrey, and
Myles Crocker all saw action in relief.
Jaydan Israel led Norfolk State offensively, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
Cameron Mazell finished 2-for-2 with an RBI and two walks, while
Thomas Ealey went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Mason Mompoint added an RBI double for the Spartans.
Norfolk State struck first in the top of the opening inning.
Justin Journette drew a two-out walk before Mazell singled to right field. Mompoint followed with an RBI double to left field, giving the Spartans a 1-0 lead.
VMI answered with 13 runs in the bottom half of the inning. Cole Raile highlighted the surge with a two-run double, an RBI single, and a two-run home run later in the game. The Keydets collected seven hits and drew six walks during the opening frame to take a 13-1 advantage.
The Spartans responded with four runs in the fourth inning.
Brendan Burke opened the frame with a single before
Kydese Queen and
Sean Stewart added consecutive hits to load the bases. Israel lined an RBI single to right field, and Ealey followed with a two-run single to center field. Mazell later drew an RBI walk to trim the deficit to 13-5.
VMI added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on Raile's two-run homer to right center, extending the lead to 15-5.
Norfolk State threatened in the sixth inning after Israel singled and Mazell drew a walk, but VMI stranded both runners to preserve the lead.
ON DECK
Norfolk State will close the season on the road, taking on Stonehill in a three-game series on the road this weekend. Due to inclement weather, the series will now begin on Friday, May 15, at 3 p.m., followed by a doubleheader on Saturday, May 16.
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