NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — In a season opener defying preseason projections, the Norfolk State Spartans capitalized on a series of Towson miscues to secure a 2-0 victory over the Tigers on Friday at Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded under evening lights, saw the Spartans scratch across a pair of unearned runs against a Towson team that entered as a significant favorite. Interstat’s ELO system had projected the Tigers with a 70.5 percent probability to win.

Norfolk State broke a scoreless deadlock in the third inning without the benefit of a clean RBI hit. Justin Journette singled and Brendan Burke followed with another single, with Journette taking third on a throwing error by the shortstop. Ryan Hoeft then reached on a throwing error by the Towson third baseman, allowing Journette to cross the plate with the game’s first run.

The Tigers, who out-hit the Spartans 6-7, repeatedly threatened but failed to execute with runners on base. Their best chance came in the eighth inning against reliever Thomas Ealey. Max D’Alessa singled, stole second, and Brian Heckel and Jack Hughes worked walks to load the bases with one out. D’Alessa was then cut down at the plate on a fielder’s choice, and a subsequent walk re-loaded the bases for Frank Adamsk. His grounder to shortstop forced the runner at second, extinguishing the threat and preserving Norfolk State’s 1-0 lead.

The Spartans added a critical insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, again aided by a Towson error. Brendan Burke led off with a double and moved to third on a groundout. After a strikeout, Kydese Queen reached on a throwing error by the pitcher, allowing Burke to score.

Norfolk State’s pitching staff made the slim lead stand. Starter Ethan Blakeney worked five scoreless innings, allowing four hits while striking out four. Thomas Ealey navigated two innings of pressure, including the bases-loaded jam in the eighth, and Yasseel Samboy earned the save with a perfect ninth inning, sealing the win.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the top of the eighth inning. With the Spartans clinging to a 1-0 lead, Towson mounted its most serious rally, loading the bases with one out. Norfolk State reliever Thomas Ealey, facing the heart of the Tigers’ order, induced a crucial fielder’s choice grounder from Jack Hughes that resulted in a force out at home. He then walked Nigel Sebast to re-load the bases. Facing Frank Adamsk, the Spartan defense finally escaped. Adamsk hit a sharp grounder to shortstop J. Jones, who flipped to second baseman Sean Stewart for the force, ending the inning and stranding all three runners. This defensive stand preserved the fragile lead and shifted all momentum firmly to the home side, which promptly scored an insurance run in the bottom half of the frame.

Brendan Burke led the Spartans offensively, going 2-for-2 with a double, a run scored, and two hit-by-pitches. Emmett Jefferson also added two hits for Norfolk State. For Towson, Brian Heckel had two of the team’s six hits.

With the win, Norfolk State begins its season 1-0, while Towson starts 0-1. The two teams are scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday to continue the series.

Norfolk State will host Manhattan for a four-game series beginning Feb. 20, followed by a midweek game against Old Dominion. Towson will complete its series with the Spartans before traveling to face New Mexico State in a three-game set starting Feb. 20.