Mike Roberts homered and drove in four runs and Jordan Ballard hit a three-run home run of his own, helping host VMI hold off Norfolk State 10-7 on Wednesday night at Gray-Minor Stadium.

Moriba George and John Boyd each went 3-for-4 for the Spartans (13-14), who matched VMI’s 11 hits. But NSU could not avoid the big inning.

NSU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. John Lynch and George led off with back-to-back singles of VMI starter Adam Kruithof (1-1). Brad Stephenson grounded into a double play, enabling Lynch to score from third.

But VMI (19-17) answered back with four runs in the second inning. The rally was capped by Roberts’ two-out, two-run single after an NSU error prolonged the inning.

VMI went ahead 5-1 in the third. A.J. Yoder tripled with two outs and scored on another Spartan error.

NSU drew within 5-2 in the fourth. Brandon Hairston led off with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jerrod Farley .

But VMI gained some breathing room in the bottom of the fourth when Ballard connected on a three-run homer to left for an 8-2 Keydets’ edge.

Farley walked with the bases loaded for his second RBI of the night in the sixth for NSU’s third run. But Roberts answered right back for VMI with a two-run homer in the bottom of the frame to give the Keydets a 10-3 advantage.

But NSU would not go away. Chris Joyce brought NSU within 10-5 in the top of the seventh with his two-out, two-run single. The Spartans scored twice more in the top of the eighth. Defensive replacement TiQuan Griffin was hit by a pitch with one out. He advanced to second on a passed ball and to third on a balk. George then walked with two outs, and he and Griffin executed a double steal with George swiping second and Griffin scoring from third. George scored two batters later on Boyd’s third single of the day.

But VMI closer Travis Smink pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his sixth save of the season, striking out two batters.

Jason Barker took the loss for NSU to drop to 1-1 on the year. He allowed eight hits and eight runs, four of them earned, in four innings of work.

Roberts, Brian Sandridge and Tanner Biagini had two hits each for VMI. Shane Geisslinger swiped four bases, half of VMI’s total for the game.

NSU travels to Dover, Del., for a three-game MEAC series at Delaware State this Saturday and Sunday.