NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — The Norfolk State Spartans erupted for eight runs in a chaotic first inning and never looked back, routing the Coppin State Eagles 21-2 in a Northeast Conference baseball game Friday at Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded in the evening, was decided almost immediately. After the Eagles went down in order in the top of the first, the Spartans sent 13 men to the plate in the bottom half, capitalizing on two Coppin State errors to break the game open.

Norfolk State shortstop Jaydan Israel was the catalyst, bookending the explosive inning with a leadoff double and a three-run, unearned home run to right field. All eight Spartan runs in the frame were scored with two outs, with Mason Mompoint contributing a two-run single on an error and Hunter Gillespie adding an RBI single before Israel’s blast.

The most important part of the game was undoubtedly that first-inning outburst. It immediately erased any momentum from the previous day’s tight contest, a 7-6 Norfolk State win in 10 innings, and set a dominant tone from which Coppin State never recovered. The eight-run deficit proved insurmountable for an Eagles team that has now lost 21 of its 25 games this season.

Norfolk State (12-16) continued the onslaught in the second inning, scoring three more runs on a solo homer by Justin Journette, an unearned run on a wild pitch and a solo home run by Mompoint. Coppin State (4-21) scratched across its only runs in the second and third innings on RBI doubles by Kenan Harvey and Jordan Treadwell, respectively.

The Spartans added single runs in the third and fourth innings before putting the game completely out of reach with a seven-run fifth inning. That rally featured four walks, two hit batters, and another two-run double from Israel, who finished a perfect 3 for 3 with a home run, two doubles, six RBIs and three runs scored.

Israel’s performance highlighted a potent Norfolk State offense that amassed 18 hits. Journette went 3 for 4 with a homer and four RBIs, while Mompoint was 2 for 3 with a homer and four RBIs. Brendan Burke also had three hits and an RBI.

On the mound, Spartans starter Parker Hampton earned the win, allowing two earned runs on six hits over four innings. Reliever Nyenati Snoh was dominant in relief, throwing three perfect innings with one strikeout. Coppin State reliever Nick Dolbin provided a bright spot for the Eagles, entering in the fifth inning and recording the final out before tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts.

The lopsided result far exceeded the pregame projection from Interstat, which had simulated a 7-2 Norfolk State victory and gave the Spartans a 51.2% probability to win.

The two teams are scheduled to continue their series Saturday in Norfolk.