NORFOLK, Va. –
Randal Mendez and
Darien Percell combined for five hits to lead the Coppin State baseball team during a 12-7 setback to Norfolk State at Marty L. Miller Field Saturday in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) game.
For Mendez, it was his second three-hit game of the season and first since the Eagles' series in Jacksonville last month. He also drove in a pair of runs with a two-out two-run single in the top of the fifth inning that pulled Coppin State (1-17 overall, 0-7 MEAC North) to within, 5-3.
Mendez, who is hitting .268, has four multi-hit games. He also leads Coppin State with a .400 average with two outs.
Meanwhile, Percell extended his hitting streak to six games with a pair of hits including a double. This was Percell's second multi-hit game of the season. Percell is swinging a scolding bat for the Eagles during his hitting streak with a .429 average. Percell drove home a pair of runs with a two-out single in the top of the seventh inning that sliced Norfolk State's lead to 10-6.
Despite the offensive prowess of Mendez and Percell, Coppin State had trouble overcoming an early five-run deficit along with six errors. Eight of Norfolk State's runs were unearned. The Eagles offense applied pressure throughout the game, patiently working eight walks. In addition, Coppin State had two batters hit by pitches, but the Eagles stranded 12 runners.
In its last four games, Coppin State has drawn 36 walks.
Six different Norfolk State players had two hits each. Robbie Hiser drove in three runs to lead the Spartans (7-10, 4-3).
The series concludes with a rare Sunday doubleheader beginning at 10:30 a.m. Scheduled to pitch for the Eagles are
Myles Taylor and
Anderson Burgess.
