DI/MEAC/Baseball
Norfolk State Sports Information
DURHAM, N.C. – Alex Mauricio hit the go-ahead two-run single, and he and three other Norfolk State relievers helped shut the door on North Carolina Central in a 5-3, game 2 win for the Spartans in Saturday’s doubleheader against the Eagles at Durham Athletic Park.
NSU (2-1) dropped the first game 6-1, but won the series two-of-three thanks to its win in Saturday’s nightcap.
In game 2, Mauricio’s two-run single broke a 2-all tie in the top of the fifth and sent the Spartans on to victory. Corey Haynes picked up the win with a scoreless inning of work, then gave way to Mauricio, who started the game as the second baseman before moving to the mound in the fifth.
Mauricio pitching 2.1 effective innings of relief and held a 5-2 lead entering the seventh and final inning. Ryan Kilmon doubled and scored on a passed ball in the sixth to push NSU’s advantage to three runs.
But NCCU tried to make it interesting in the seventh. Eric Kimber led off the seventh with a double off Mauricio, and Carlos Ortiz made it 5-3 with an RBI groundout that plated Kimber.
Mauricio gave way to Robbie Hiser, who moved to the mound from third base. Hiser induced a flyout and then struck out Ronald Thompson swinging to end it and earn the save.
Angel Rosario scored twice in the nightcap for NSU.
In game 1, NCCU starter Alex Dandridge struck out eight over eight innings to lead the Eagles. NCCU also took advantage of some shaky NSU defense, which played a role in the Eagles’ two-run third and four-run seventh.
Thompson hit a two-run single for the game’s first runs in the third after an NSU error prolonged the inning. The Spartans cut their deficit in half when Ismael Herrera was hit by a pitch in the fifth and scored on Andre’ Moore’s fielder’s choice.
But NCCU tacked on four more in the seventh thanks to several NSU defensive miscues and an Ortiz RBI single.
The Spartans will host their first home games of the season next weekend at Marty L. Miller Field when they host the U.S. Naval Academy. The teams play a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1p.m.