Title image via Niya Grant Photography
Courtesy of Brian Howard, Asst. AD/Communications, Norfolk State Athletics
14
NIA-BASE
4
NSUBB
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIA-BASE | 14 | 12 | 1 |
| NSUBB | 4 | 10 | 3 |
W: MacMillan,Blake (1-0) L: Manzer, Nolan (0-1)
NORFOLK, Va. | The Norfolk State University baseball team fell behind early, rallying to tie the game, but Niagara scored the final 10 runs in a 14-4 loss to the Purple Eagles to close out the three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Marty L. Miller Baseball Field.
Norfolk State (1-6) trailed 4-0 midway through the third inning, but struck for three runs on four hits, closing the deficit.
Steven Shaffer began the frame with a base hit to left and advanced to second when Brandon Cleveland, who went 2-for-2, reached on an infielder hit. Dionte Brownfollowed with a single through the left side, plating Shaffer. Cleveland scored on a passed ball and Brown came across on a Raphael Rodriguez groundout.
The Spartans tied the game with a run in the fourth as Camrin Sturgeon reached on an error with one out and advanced to second on a stolen base. Cleveland brought Sturgeon in on a single to center.
However, Niagara (2-1) plated four runs in the fifth, two in the seventh and four more in ninth to pick up the 14-4 victory.
The Spartans, who stranded nine on base, collected 10 hits and committed three errors.
Cleveland and Kam Walker led the way with two hits each.
The Purple Eagles, who left seven on base, recorded 12 hits and had one error.
Cole O’Connor and Max Giordano each finished with three hits.
Nathan Manzer (0-1) took the loss in three innings of work. He surrendered four runs on three hits, fanned four and walked one. Mac Yarbrough, Donovan Whitfield, Joe Lafave and Noah Wiggins saw action in relief.
Blake MacMillan (1-0) earned the win. He fanned the first four batters and finished with eight strikeouts, while giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits. Tommy Bednarski, Preston Prince, Zach Laird and Cal Theal worked in relief.
UP NEXT
The Spartans open a three-game series against Binghamton on Friday. First pitch against the Bearcats is set for 3 p.m. from Marty L. Miller Baseball Field.
Next Game: Binghamton 3/3/2023 | 3 p.m.
