ETTRICK, Va. – Virginia State picked up a win in game one then swept Saturday’s doubleheader to claim an NSAC series win over Mid-Atlantic Christian.
In the opener, VSU rallied late to secure a 3-2 victory. After falling behind 1-0 in the fourth inning, the Trojans broke through in the sixth with a three-run frame. Johnathan Smith delivered an RBI single to tie the game before Jaquan Tucker lifted a sacrifice fly to give VSU the lead. Antonio Boone followed with an RBI single to extend the advantage to 3-1.
Mid-Atlantic Christian attempted a comeback in the seventh with a solo home run, but the Trojans held on for the one-run win. VSU’s offense capitalized on key opportunities in the sixth inning to provide the difference.
On the mound, Preston Branzelle tossed a complete game, allowing just three hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out five to earn the win.
Game two proved to be a defensive battle, with Mid-Atlantic Christian edging VSU 1-0. The lone run of the game came in the sixth inning, capitalizing on a Trojan miscue to plate the eventual game-winner.
Virginia State threatened throughout the nightcap but was unable to convert, stranding runners in multiple innings. Norman Jackson and Hector Rivera paced the offense with strong performances at the plate.
Gavin Stevens delivered a strong outing despite taking the loss, pitching a complete game while allowing just one unearned run and striking out eight.
In Saturday’s first game, A walk-off left Mid Atlantic Christian Univers on the wrong end of a 6-5 defeat to Virginia State University on Saturday at Virginia State University. The game was tied at five in the bottom of the twelfth when an error scored one run.
Virginia State University got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Luka Gilliam doubled to left field, AJ Boone hit a sacrifice fly, and Hector Rivera singled to center field, each scoring one run.
Mid Atlantic Christian Univers tied the game in the top of the fourth thanks to a double by Dakota Inman, a single by RJ Cabrera, and a single by Jack Wecht.
A single by Luka Gilliam gave Virginia State University the lead, 4-3, in the bottom of the fourth.
In the top of the seventh inning, Mid Atlantic Christian Univers went back into the lead after Landen Miller doubled to left field, and Brian Sanchez singled to center field, each scoring one run.
Charles Jones singled down the right field line, which helped Virginia State University tie the game at five in the bottom of the seventh.
Charles Jones earned the win for Virginia State University.
In Saturday’s first game, the teams traded leads before VSU prevailed in extra innings. The Trojans jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning behind a double by Luka Gilliam, a sacrifice fly by Boone and an RBI single from Hector Rivera.
MACU responded with three runs in the fourth to tie the game, then regained the lead in the seventh on RBI hits from Landen Miller and Brian Sanchez. Virginia State answered in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Charles Jones to even the score at 5.
The game remained tied until the 12th, when Virginia State scored the winning run on an error. Jones earned the victory
In the nightcap, Virginia State overcame an early deficit to secure the win. Mid-Atlantic took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, capitalizing on a Trojan error and a hit by pitch to Aidan Guise that forced in a run. State answered in the bottom half, tying the game at 2-2 with two bases-loaded hit batters.
The Trojans moved ahead in the second on RBI singles from AJ Boone and Jaquan Tucker, then added another run in the third after a Mustang error to build a 5-3 lead. Virginia State held on late to complete the 7-5 victory.
The series pulled the Trojans within one game of the fourth-place Mustangs in the NSAC standings.
Friday games story courtesy Virginia State Athletics; image courtesy Christ Waugaman @waugtography
