PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (Interstat) — The Norfolk State Spartans used a seven-run fourth inning to power past the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks 15-8 on Friday, May 1, 2026, in the first game of a Northeast Conference doubleheader at Hawk Stadium.

Norfolk State improved to 16-25 overall, while the Hawks fell to 8-32.

Parker Hampton earned the win for the Spartans, pitching six innings and allowing four earned runs on no hits while striking out four. It was a strong rebound for Hampton, who had allowed four earned runs in each of his previous two outings: a loss against Le Moyne on April 25 and a win over New Haven on April 18.

The game remained scoreless through three innings as both starters settled in. Norfolk State broke through in the top of the fourth. After Ryan Hoeft singled and Mason Mompoint singled, an error by the Hawks’ third baseman loaded the bases. Kydese Queen then brought in the first run with a sacrifice fly. Hunter Gillespie followed with a two-run double, and Jaydan Israel reached on an error that allowed Gillespie to score. Thomas Ealey walked and stole second, and Justin Journette delivered a two-run single. Cam Mazell added an RBI single, capping the inning at 7-0.

Norfolk State added four more runs in the fifth. After walks and singles, Gillespie singled, stole second, and then Ealey singled up the middle for two runs. Journette doubled to left center for another run, making it 11-0.

Maryland-Eastern Shore answered in the bottom of the fifth. Bronson Taylor walked, Henry Clausell singled, and Jonathan Rodriguez doubled for the Hawks’ first run. Diego Aponte grounded out for a run, Julian Jimenez doubled in another, and Ansel Carson singled to cut the lead to 11-4. The Hawks scored four runs on four hits in the inning.

Norfolk State responded in the seventh. With the bases loaded, Queen walked to force in a run, Gillespie grounded out for an RBI, and Israel singled to drive in another, stretching the lead to 15-4.

The Hawks fought back again in the bottom of the seventh. After a hit by pitch and a walk, a catcher’s interference brought in a run, and a fielder’s choice made it 15-6. Another fielder’s choice pushed the margin to 15-7 before Darrius Brown struck out.

In the eighth, Maryland-Eastern Shore added a run on a groundout by Aponte, making it 15-8. Norfolk State’s Yasseel Samboy closed the door in the ninth, striking out Brown to end the game.

Gillespie finished 2 for 3 with three RBIs. Journette was 3 for 6 with three RBIs, and Ealey went 2 for 6 with two RBIs. For the Hawks, Jimenez was 2 for 2 with an RBI and three walks.

The Spartans racked up 14 hits, while the Hawks managed six.

Norfolk State and Maryland-Eastern Shore will play the second game of the doubleheader later Friday and conclude the series Sunday. Norfolk State’s next 10 games include matchups against VCU, Fairleigh Dickinson, Virginia Military Institute and Stonehill. Maryland-Eastern Shore will face Mount Saint Mary’s, Le Moyne and New Haven after the series.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Norfolk State 3, Maryland-Eastern Shore 2, and the Interstat ELO system gave Norfolk State a 58.00 percent probability to win.