MARIETTA, Ga. – The Norfolk State softball team went 1-1 on the second day of the HBCU Showdown, falling 3-1 to Southern and then beating Grambling 7-1 Sunday morning at the All-Tournament Players Park.

Against Southern (2-1), Brianeisha Eure (Virginia Beach, Va.) knocked in the Spartans' only run in the top of the seventh inning. Eure doubled to left center field to bring in Rebecca Barnes (Hampton, Va.), who had doubled to lead off the inning. But the Lady Jaguars had already scored three runs earlier in the game, which proved to be all they needed. 

Sarah Wittwer (Grand Junction, Colo.) pitched six innings, allowing nine hits, three runs (two earned), and struck out five batters in the losing effort. Lenaya Jenkins got the win after tossing six shutout innings during which she allowed just four hits.

NSU (1-3) dominated the Grambling game posting seven runs on nine hits. Meghan Ramsey (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Jewel White (Chesapeake, Va.) led the Spartan offense by going 3-for-4 and 2-for-4, respectively. Ramsey had two RBI and scored one run, while White had one of each.

Micki Rodriguez (Newport News, Va.) got her first win of the season after throwing a five-hit, one-run complete game and striking out eight. Sha Pledger suffered the loss. She gave up six hits, five runs, three earned, and struck out one in four innings of work. 

The Spartans head to Farmville, Va. to take part in the Longwood Tournament, which includes Quinnipiac, Iona, and host Longwood. The tournament runs from Feb. 23-24.