Box Score

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland- The visiting Norfolk State Spartans scored eight runs on seven hits in the fourth inning as the defending MEAC Northern Division champions stormed to an 11-2 victory over the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks in the opening game of a three game series.

Both teams are now tied in conference play at 1-2 in the early going. Norfolk State improved their overall record to 7-12 while the Hawks fell to 5-15.

The Hawks' runs came courtesy of sophomore Jamison Trower (Chesterfield, Virginia) and senior Connor Breslin (Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania). Trower's double and Breslin's infield hit both came in the sixth inning. Senior Mike Escanilla (Waldorf, Maryland) registered two hits on the day, the only Maryland Eastern Shore player to do so.

Sophomore starter Chris Melrath (Rising Sun, Maryland) conceded the loss in 3 2/3 innings of work. Senior reliever J.P. Black (Elkton, Maryland) pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, and two other bullpen players-sophomore Jordan Turner (Baltimore, Maryland) and junior James DiBuo (Bishopville, Maryland)-closed the game with a combined 3 2/3 shutdown innings.

"We gave Norfolk State some free bases and extra outs in the fourth." Hawks coach John O'Neil said after the game. "They took advantage of our mistakes and came up with some hits with runners in scoring position. We can't give a very good team like Norfolk State extra opportunities."

The Spartans led wire-to-wire in the game, getting their first run in the second on an RBI groundout. Norfolk State then led off with a double, which scored on a one out single. Then the Hawks committed one error on a pickoff followed by a second error when a potential double play ball was jettisoned into center field. Those extra outs were capitalized on by the Spartans, who led 9-0 after the fourth.

After two more Spartan runs came across in the sixth, the Hawks responded with two, set up by a double from junior Jordan Martin (Atlanta, Georgia) and a walk from sophomore Jessey Valdez (Dorchester, Massachusetts).

Defense and pitching took over after the sixth, as both bullpens cruised to the finish line. Maryland Eastern Shore did manage to load the bases in the eighth, but that rally was snuffed out by the visitors.

Both teams will meet in a doubleheader Saturday, with the first pitch occurring at noon.

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