Jacob Council’s three-run home run highlighted a five-run fourth inning that sent Norfolk State on its way to an 8-6 win over NJIT on Saturday afternoon at Marty L. Miller Field.
Dionte Brown drove in a career-high four runs and Tanner Brandon had a season-high three hits to help the Spartans (3-5) take down the Highlanders (2-7) for the second straight day.
NJIT broke on top in the first as David Marcano doubled in his brother, Julio, then scored on a Spartan error at the end of the play.
Brandon knocked in NSU’s first run of the day with a two-out double in the bottom of the first before the Spartans took the lead for good in the fourth inning. Walks to Korey Singh and Cody Donnell, followed by a two-out check-swing single by Raphy Rodriguez loaded the bases. Brown then pushed across two runs with a single through the left side of the infield.
After a pitching change, Jacob Council greeted reliever Joe Georgini by lofting a three-run homer over the wall in deep right-center. The homer – the third of Council’s NSU career and his first at home – put the Spartans in front, 6-2.
NSU added to its lead in the sixth. Donnell and Rodriguez led off with consecutive singles and both advanced a base on a balk. Brown then hit a rare two-run sacrifice fly, with his deep fly ball down into the right-field corner allowing Donnell to score from third and the speedy Rodriguez from second.
The Highlanders scored four runs in the ninth to make things interesting, two on a two-out single by Isiah Daubon, but Justin Walton struck out Brett Helmkamp looking to end the threat.
James Deloatch collected his first win of the season. He allowed three hits and two runs while striking out eight in five innings. Walton collected his first career save by pitching the final four innings. He struck out five hitters.
Brandon was 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI for NSU. Rodriguez batted 2-for-4 with three runs scored while Donnell was 1-for-2 with two runs scored.