EASTON, Mass. (Interstat) — James Gilleran pitched eight innings of five-hit baseball as Stonehill defeated Norfolk State 3-2 in a Northeast Conference game Friday afternoon at Merkert Gymnasium.

Gilleran allowed two earned runs and struck out four. Jack Welsch worked a perfect ninth inning for the save. Ryan LeClair, Cam Morrison and Jamison Howland each had two hits for the Skyhawks. Howland drove in a run. Michael Rickert added a run-scoring single.

Stonehill broke a 2-2 tie in the third inning when Jamison Howland singled home a run, and later scored on a caught stealing play.

Norfolk State’s Ethan Blakeney threw seven innings, allowing three earned runs on no hits but three walks. The Spartans managed five hits, with Josiah Harrison going 2-for-4. Thomas Ealey had a sacrifice fly.

The Skyhawks improved to 20-27 overall; the Spartans dropped to 18-30. The teams meet again Saturday.