WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William and Mary baseball team was edged by in-state rival Norfolk State, 3-2, on Wednesday night at Plumeri Park. Freshman
Ryder Miconi led the Tribe offense going 3-fo-3 with a pair of doubles, a walk, and a run scored. With the loss the Tribe falls to 20-12, while the Spartans improve to 9-18.
Norfolk State started the scoring with a run in the top of the first inning. With one out, Andre' Moore, Ross Cardwell, and Zach Markell hit back-to-back-to-back singles. Markell's single scored Moore, giving the Spartans a 1-0 lead.
William and Mary tied the score with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Miconi led off the inning with a double down the left field line, moving to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior Derek Lowe. The next batter, senior Kevin Nutter grounded out, but it was enough for the RBI, tying the score 1-1.
The Spartans responded with a run in the top of the fifth inning. Cody Ellis led off the inning with a walk, moving to second on a wild pitch, and to third on a sacrifice bunt by Tyon Ore. A wild pitch allowed for Ellis to score from third.
W&M came back and retied the game with a run in the bottom the sixth inning. Sophomore Ryan Hissey led off the inning with a solo homer to straight away center field. His second home run of the season tied the score 2-2.
NSU took its third and final lead of the game with an unearned run in the top of the seventh inning. Ellis reached on an error starting the inning, moving to second and third on a pair of outs. After a two-out walk, Cardwell singled into left field, scoring Ellis and giving the Spartans a 3-2 lead.
The Tribe offense had its chances, but left a season-high 12 runners on base. Hissey, who had the other two hits for the Tribe, collected his fifth multi-hit game of the season.
Freshman Daniel Powers, who made his first start of his career, pitched 4.1 innings, allowing two runs, and striking out one. Classmate John Yoest was saddled with his first loss, without giving up an earned run. He pitched 2.2 innings allowing one hit, and striking out two. Senior Kevin Casey threw the final two innings, allowing a hit, with three strikeouts.
Norfolk State's Stephen Butt earned his second win of the season throwing one inning with one hit. Devin Hemmerich earned his third save, tossing two scoreless innings.
The William and Mary baseball team returns to conference action when they travel to James Madison. The first two games (Friday and Saturday) will be played at 6:30, while the finale on Sunday, April 13 will be played at 2 p.m.
