Mahdi's 7th-inning HR Completes NSU Rally Past Towson
NORFOLK, Va. - Sophomore outfielder Syeed Mahdi's three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh capped Norfolk State's rally from a 6-0 deficit and sent the Spartans to a 12-7 win over Towson on Friday evening at Marty L. Miller Field.
Mahdi's homer - his team-best third of the year and second in as many games - was part of a 3-for-4 day and put NSU (5-8) ahead 8-6. The Spartan bullpen was solid in relief, as right handers Chase Anderson and Alex Mauricio held Towson to one run in the final four innings after the Tigers (2-9) started hot.
Anderson (3-1) earned a relief victory for the second straight game for NSU. He allowed four hits and one run in two innings, and struck out four for his team-leading third win of the season. Alex Mauricio moved from third base to the mound in the eighth. He pitched two perfect innings and struck out three for his first save of the season.
Brian Beard, Ismael Herrera and Lee had two hits apiece for NSU, which finished with 13 hits on the night. Mahdi had four RBI and Rosario three for the Spartans. Five different Spartans scored two runs apiece.
The teams plays game two of their series at 2 p.m. Saturday.
For complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com
N.C. Central Strikes for Two Runs in Ninth to Beat North Carolina A&T State
GREENSBORO, N.C. – North Carolina Central University left it late, but the Eagles pulled out an 8-6 win to open their series with North Carolina A&T State University at War Memorial Stadium on Friday, March 11.
There were plenty of runs to be had in this one as NC A&T (3-11, 0-1 MEAC) picked up three runs in the bottom of the first with help from an RBI double from Adan Ordonez.
NCCU (8-7, 1-0 MEAC) then strung together back-to-back walks in the top of the second and John Ortiz hit an RBI double of his own to start the scoring for the Eagles. A sacrifice fly from Thomas Prospero drove in the third run of the frame to tie it up at 3-3 after an inning and a half.
N.C. A&T State moved right back in front on a two-run shot to right from Kennan Herring in the bottom of the third, making the score 5-3. The Eagles would get a run back in the top of the fifth, but N.C. A&T State stretched lead back to two runs in the bottom of the frame at 6-4.
The Eagles rallied to tie the game again in the top of the sixth after Prospero doubled and was brought in on a sacrifice fly from Trevor Theissen to level the game at 6-6.
From that point it was a game for the bullpens to deal with. Jamar Hinton turned in a strong shift in middle relief by pitching two and two-thirds of an inning without allowing a run with three strikeouts. Justice Sampson stepped into a jam in the bottom of the eighth but was able to force a critical double play with the bases full to keep the score locked at 6-6 heading to the ninth.
Ellington Hopkins came up with a big defensive play in the bottom of the eighth as well with a leaping grab in left field that potentially kept a runner on second from coming in to score. After keeping a run off the board, he put the game winner on for NCCU in the top of the ninth by sending home Theissen after his leadoff double.
Christian Triplett brought Hopkins in to score on a sacrifice fly for some insurance for Andrew Vernon as he was called upon for the final three outs.
Vernon struck out the first two on eight pitches, and tied up the game with a groundball.
The Eagles return to Greensboro on Saturday, March 12 for a doubleheader to close out the series beginning at 1:00 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com
Marist Scores Two Late Runs To Down Hornets
DOVER, Del. --- Marist scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and an insurance run in the ninth in a 4-2 come-from-behind win over Delaware State in the Hornets’ home opener at Soldier Field today.
DSU led 2-0 after three innings, but gave up the last four runs to remain winless this season (0-13). The Red Foxes improved to 3-7.
Marist starter Sean Keenan (2-1) allowed eight hits and two runs, while striking out six without a walk to record the win.
Adrian Henry and Darnel Maisonet had two hits each for the Hornets.
The teams will continue the series on Saturday with a 1 p.m. contest. The series concludes with a 12 p.m. game on Sunday.
For complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com
UMES’ Breslin and Valdez Homer In Loss To Keydets
LEXINGTON, Va. — With ruthless efficiency, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Keydets registered hit after hit, scoring run after run, overwhelming the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks in a 23-2 decision in Gray-Minor Stadium Friday afternoon. The loss drops to Hawks to 4-9 on the season.
Both of the Hawks’ runs came from the long ball, and each served as a first for the respective hitter. Senior Connor Breslin hit his first collegiate homerun with a smash to left in the third, and sophomore Jessey Valdez hit his first deep shot in his Hawk career with a center field bomb the following inning.
VMI’s march to the victory started with their first batter, who homered off the Hawks’ sophomore starter Toby Hoskins (North East, Maryland). The Keydets would push across three more runs in the first, then scoring a pair of runs in both the second and third innings.
The Hawks were able to keep the Keydets off the board in the bottom of the fifth, when freshman Xavier Czepiel only conceded a leadoff single.
The first chance to overcome these struggles will come against these same Keydets tomorrow, with a 2:00p.m. start at Gray-Minor Stadium. Sophomore Scott Bean is scheduled to be on the bump.
For complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com