DUNDALK – Coppin State dropped a pair of MEAC games to Norfolk State on Sunday, May 8
th at CCBC Dundalk. The Eagles fell 5-4 in game one and then 8-3 in game two.
The Spartans came from behind with three runs in the ninth inning taking game one of the double header 5-4 over the Eagles. Coppin State finished with seven hits and was ahead (4-2) approaching the ninth inning. Norfolk State had eight total hits with two key hits happening in their ninth inning rally.
At the beginning of the game, Norfolk State took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on two hits at the plate. Coppin State got things rolling with senior infielder
Colin Dower in the bottom of the third inning.
Dower had the Eagles first hit of the game with a single to left field. Freshman infielder
Nazier McILwain led the fourth inning off with a double to left field. Junior infielder
Bryant Miranda followed with a single to left field and then senior outfielder
George Dragon tied the game (1-1) with an RBI scoring McILwain.
Norfolk State reclaimed the lead with a bases loaded single in the fifth inning (2-1). Senior outfielder
Darien Percell doubled to right field leading off the seventh inning for the Eagles. Coppin State's sixth hit of the game was an RBI-double by freshman
John O'Dwyer to the left side sending Percell home (2-2).
The Eagles took their first lead over the Spartans on a fielder's choice by Dower that turned into a throwing error by the Spartans defense allowing J. O'Dwyer to cross home plate (3-2). With the momentum, Coppin State continued to mount runs in taking a 4-2 lead into the last inning.
Andrew O'Dwyer singled to the Spartan infield as Dower used his speed and aggressiveness to score the go-ahead-run.
At the top of the ninth inning Norfolk State came fighting back with three runs on a pair of hits. CSU used three pitchers in that inning to stop the bleeding. Starting pitcher Devin Sutorious, followed by relief pitchers A. O'Dwyer and senior
Desean Rabb took the mound. With two runners on and two outs, the Spartans took a 5-4 lead on a double up the middle.
Seven Eagles had a hit with McILwain, Percell, and J. O'Dwyer all registering a double base hit. Dower had the only CSU stolen base while A O'Dwyer suffered the loss.
In game two of the double header, Norfolk State scored three runs in the first inning, one run in the fourth, and four in the fifth inning winning 8-3.
The Eagles got on the scoreboard with two hits and an error by the Spartans in the third inning. Dragon blasted an RBI single to center field scoring A. O'Dwyer. A. O'Dwyer reached on an error while Miranda had the Eagles other hit of the inning.
Coppin State had three runs in the seventh inning that cut the deficit to 8-3. Freshman infielder
Erik Crossman drew a walk to lead off the inning. Dower followed with a single up the middle advancing Crossman. A. O'Dwyer approached the plate and reached on a fielder's choice as Crossman scored. The Eagles final run came on a single by Miranda to right field sending Dower for the run.
Norfolk State finished with eight hits and Coppin State had nine total. Miranda tallied a team-high three hits with an RBI and Dragon was the other Eagle with multi hits with two in the second game.
Starting pitcher Aaron Rae went five innings, fanning five batters, and gave up six hits. Relief pitcher freshman
Jahmon Taylor struck one batter in one inning of work and senior closer
Myles Taylor finished the game.
Both teams return to action for the third game of the weekend series on Monday at 1 p.m. from CCBC Dundalk.
