Courtesy Alex Lehmbeck, Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Communication
20
Winner MCBB2024
7
NSUBB
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCBB2024 | 20 | 17 | 0 |
| NSUBB | 7 | 12 | 2 |
W: Heffernan, A (3-1) L: Barham, Dalton (3-5)
The Norfolk State baseball team couldn’t hold off a powerful afternoon from one of the conference’s best offensive units, falling 20-7 to Merrimack at Marty L. Miller Field.
Norfolk State freshman Kydese Queen put together a spectacular game, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs.
Starting pitcher Dalton Barham pitched a one-two-three first inning for the Spartans but struggled to maintain that same efficiency the rest of the afternoon. Frankie Farrentino got Merrimack on the board with a solo homer in the second inning, before Matthew Chatelle launched a three-run shot moments later to put Merrimack ahead 4-0.
Leading the conference in home runs, Merrimack kept the long balls coming. Brayden Dolbashian belted a two-run shot to left field in the third inning, before Christian Scanlon extended the Warriors’ lead to 7-0 with another bomb in the sixth inning.
Merrimack added another run in the sixth inning, as Barham’s day came to an end. Although he couldn’t control the scoreboard like he would have desired, Barham racked up 10 strikeouts on Friday, tying his career high.
Norfolk State found some offensive success in the seventh inning. After Manny Jackson and Collin Curry logged singles, Queen continued his strong day with a double to the wall to give NSU its first run of the day.
After Merrimack put another run on the board in the eighth inning, Norfolk State continued to battle at the plate. Jalan Jones belted the second homer of his collegiate career, a two-run shot bringing the score to 9-3.
The Spartans weren’t done there. Queen stepped up once again a few minutes later, getting another hit to fall to bring two more runs across the plate. The five-run inning closed the deficit to 9-6.
Merrimack responded swiftly, though, putting together one of their best innings of the season. The Warriors tallied 11 runs on seven hits in the frame, regaining control of the ballgame.
Raphael Rodriguez gave the Spartans some positive momentum before the day’s conclusion, hitting a solo home run to right field.
UP NEXT
The Spartans and Warriors will return to Marty L. Miller Field on Saturday for Game 2, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
