Norfolk State at Maryland-Eastern Shore
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (Interstat) — The Norfolk State Spartans and the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks will open a three-game Northeast Conference series Friday evening at Hawk Stadium.
First pitch is scheduled for late afternoon to early evening. The forecast calls for 68-degree temperatures and cloudy skies.
Norfolk State (15-24) enters on a three-game losing streak after dropping a pair of games to Le Moyne on Saturday, 10-4 and 15-4, before salvaging a 9-7 win Friday. The Spartans have lost nine of their last 11 overall.
Maryland-Eastern Shore (7-31) has dropped eight straight contests, including a 15-3 loss to Wagner on Sunday. The Hawks are 2-17 in their last 19 games.
Players to watch
Norfolk State reliever James Godfrey has made three appearances this month, totaling 3 innings. He did not allow a hit or an earned run over 1 inning April 25 against Le Moyne but surrendered 3 earned runs in 1 inning April 12 at Wagner.
Maryland-Eastern Shore shortstop Ansel Carson has been one of the Hawks’ more consistent hitters. He went 2 for 5 on April 25 against Wagner and drove in 2 runs in the series finale April 26. Carson also homered April 10 at Delaware State.
Recent results
In Norfolk State’s most recent game, a 10-4 loss to Le Moyne on Saturday, pitcher Parker Hampton worked 6.1 innings, allowing 4 earned runs and striking out 5. Second baseman Hunter Gillespie went 1 for 3, and designated hitter Josiah Harrison went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs.
In Maryland-Eastern Shore’s 15-3 loss Sunday, Carson went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs. Pitcher Cade Williams allowed 3 earned runs over 4.2 innings with 2 strikeouts.
Projection
Interstat’s game simulator projects a 3-2 score in favor of Norfolk State. The Spartans hold a 58% win probability in the ELO system.
Series outlook
The teams will continue the series with a doubleheader Saturday and a single game Sunday. Norfolk State then hosts VCU on Tuesday before a weekend series against Fairleigh Dickinson. Maryland-Eastern Shore travels to Mount St. Mary’s on Wednesday before a weekend series at Le Moyne.