WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William & Mary baseball team scored six unanswered runs to defeat in-state rival Norfolk State 6-1 on Tuesday night at Plumeri Park. With the win, the Tribe improves 14-10, while the Spartans fall to 9-13.
 
Junior Ryan Hall led the Tribe offense with a 3-for-3 day, adding a double and an RBI. Senior Matthew Tilley collected a pair of doubles and RBI, while freshman Matthew Trehub drove in a run in the win as well.
 
Norfolk State took an early lead with a run in the top of the first inning. Andre' Moore reached on a fielder's choice, before Brian Beard singled, moving him to third. The next batter, Justin Burrell singled to center, giving the Spartans the 1-0 lead.
 
W&M evened the score as it got on the board for the first time in the bottom of the third inning. Tilley doubled to left field, before moving to third on a groundout by Trehub. Hall followed with a fly out to center, but it was enough to tie the score at 1-1.
 
The Tribe took its first lead as they scored again in the home half of the fifth. Both redshirt sophomore Kyle Wrighte and freshman Brandon Raquet reached on an error, setting the table. Tilley followed with his second double of the game that scored the go-ahead run.
 
NSU was able to get out of the fifth inning jam with some nice defensive plays. NSU catcher Chris Ford caught Brandon Raquet too far off third for the first out, Tony Leite threw out Tilley at the plate and Beard got a ground out to prevent further damage.
 
W&M padded its lead with four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Brandon Raquet reached on a one-out error, before stealing second. With two outs, Trehub singled to center scoring Raquet from second. The rally continued as Hall doubled down the left field line. Trehub came around to score on a wild pitch, before two runs scored on a bases clearing error, making it 6-1.
 
After allowing a first inning run, senior Daniel Powers settled to pitch five straight scoreless innings. He allowed six hits with five strikeouts, working six innings in his second win of the year. Junior Charlie Fletcher pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts, while classmate Robert White pitched a clean ninth inning.
 
Beard was charged with his second loss of the season, going 6.2 innings allowing five runs (one earned) on six hits, with two strikeouts. He also led the Spartan offense with three hits.
 
The Green and Gold return to action tomorrow (March 29) night when they host Hampton Roads rival Old Dominion at Plumeri Park. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.