Outman, Mauricio Lead NSU to Pair of Shutout Victories
NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk State baseball team registered its first back-to-back shutouts in nearly six years Saturday, as starters Matt Outman and Jonathan Mauricio led the Spartans to an 8-0, 6-0 sweep of Maryland Eastern Shore at Marty L. Miller Field.
Outman pitched seven scoreless innings to win his fourth consecutive start in game 1, while Mauricio won his second straight decision by pitching his first career shutout, a four-hitter with a career-best nine strikeouts in the seven-inning nightcap. The wins moved NSU to 15-16 overall, 9-4 in the MEAC Northern Division. UMES fell to 9-24, 4-10.
The last time NSU registered two straight shutouts came on May 8-9, 2010, against Florida A&M.
Denathan Dukes tied his career high with four hits in the first game and ended the day with totals of five base hits, five runs scored and four stolen bases. Angel Rosario went 3-for-6 with four runs batted in on the day, including three RBI in the opener.
In game 2, Mauricio (3-2) registered his best career outing, tossing his first-ever collegiate complete game. His previous career highs before Saturday were five innings pitched and six strikeouts - feats he has accomplished two times each. Mauricio's nine strikeouts are also the most by a Spartan pitcher this season.
Kyle Vaas and Rosario each went 2-for-3 in the nightcap, with Vaas knocking in two runs and Rosario one. Dukes scored two runs in the nightcap and stole two bases in both games Saturday.
The teams conclude their series with a noon game on Sunday.
For complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com or www.umeshawks.com
Records Fall as NCCU Takes Doubleheader over North Carolina A&T State
DURHAM, N.C. – Carlos Ortiz hit a two-run shot in game one to break the North Carolina Central school record for team home runs in a season at 36, and Andrew Vernon broke the school record with 77 career appearances as the Eagles swept a doubleheader with North Carolina A&T State, 8-0 and 4-3 at the Durham Athletic Park on Saturday, April 16.
Alex Dandridge had a strong outing for the Eagles as he was able to keep N.C. A&T State (9-29, 3-11 MEAC) off the board through six complete innings. Dandridge only saw himself in a jam once, and that was in the sixth inning where he issued his only walk of the afternoon to load the bases. He dug deep and served up a strikeout to end the frame, his seventh of the day.
The team home run record fell in the bottom of the bottom of the eighth on a towering two-run shot from Ortiz that put the Eagles ahead 8-0 going to the final frame.
Devin Sweet was called in from the bullpen again for the final three innings and he went through with just one hit and one walk with three strikeouts to get his second consecutive three-out save in two save attempts.
In the second game, Andrew Vernon started game two and came back to the mound for the seventh inning and shut the door for the win in his record-breaking 77th career appearance, and capped the game with his eighth strikeout of the afternoon.
The Eagles will go for the weekend sweep over the Aggies tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at the Durham Athletic Park.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com or www.ncataggies.com
Florida A&M Splits Doubleheader With Bethune-Cookman
ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – Florida A&M (22-12, 12-2 MEAC) split Saturday’s doubleheader with Bethune-Cookman (15-21, 8-6 MEAC) by scores of 5-6 and 6-3 at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex on Saturday.
Ricky Page (2-2) had a strong outing in game two as he posted a career high seven strikeouts and only allowed one base runner past second base all day. Page pitched 5.1 scoreless innings with just two hits and four walks and didn’t allow a Wildcat hit after the third inning. Ryan Hutson and Willis McDaniel combined to drive in five of the six runs scored.
The Rattlers used just five pitchers on the day and combined for 17 strikeouts over the two games.
Ben Ellzey (2-for-5), Brian Davis (2-for-5) and Cameron Johnson (2-for-3) each had multi-hit performances in game one, while Dylan Dillard (2-for-2), Jacky Miles, Jr. (2-for-4) and Hutson (2-for-3) each had two hits in game two. Hutson had three RBI in the game two win, while McDaniel added two RBI of his own.
FAMU reliever Danny Rodriguez (3-2) suffered the loss in game one after working the final four innings and allowing four runs, all in the fifth inning. Rattler game one starter JoJo Durden worked the first four innings and allowed just two unearned runs on four hits with four strikeouts.
Bethune-Cookman game one starter, Tyler Norris (5-2), pitched four innings before having to come out of the game due to an undisclosed injury. Norris allowed two unearned run on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks for the win. Joseph Calamita came in to record the final out in the ninth inning for his first save of the season.
In game two, Tyler Krull (1-1) made his first career start in game two and took the loss after allowing three runs on four hits in four innings of work. Krull had three strikeouts and two walks in the loss.
Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman close out the three-game series on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.
For complete story, visit www.famuathletics.com or www.bcuathletics.com
Big Innings Key Hornets’ Doubleheader Sweep of Eagles
DOVER, Del. --- Delaware State scored seven runs on just one hit in the seventh inning of game one and tallied five runs in the fourth inning of the nightcap in a sweep of Coppin State in a MEAC doubleheader at Soldier Field.
The Hornets won the opener 14-4 and took the seven-inning nightcap 5-4.
Delaware State had just four hits in game one, but took advantage of four errors and 17 walks by Coppin State pitchers.
The game was called with one out in the DSU eighth due to the 10-run rule.
Kwestin Smith, Cameron Onderko, Adrian Hill and Chris Panzarella drove in two runs each in the opener for the Hornets.
DSU’s Garrett Coverdale (1-1) threw 1.1 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win, while Coppin State reliever Desean Rabb (1-1) took the loss.
The Hornets will try for the three-game sweep when they host the Eagles in the series finale on Sunday. The first pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Soldier Field.
For complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com or www.coppinstatesports.com