Game 1
Game 2

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State softball team lost two games on the last day of the 2008 Spartan Softball Clash, falling 13-8 to Delaware State and 5-0 to Hartford in the championship game at the NSU Softball Field.

Against Delaware State, the Spartans (3-9) took control of the game early on as Jeanette Sauceda(Ontario, Calif.) and Micki Rodriguez (Newport News, Va.) both hit home runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sauceda led off the inning with a solo shot over the center field fence, and five batters later, Rodriguez hit a three-run homer to left center to put NSU up 4-2.

Later in the game, the Spartans gave up an 8-5 lead by allowing DSU (8-4) to score six runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Lady Hornet defense stiffened and NSU was not able to get any more runs across the plate.

Brittany Ruark earned the win for DSU giving up six hits and five runs (four earned) in four and a third innings. Ky Brown (Woodsfield, Ohio) took the loss for the Spartans after allowing five hits and seven runs (six earned). Rodriguez had a no-decision outing in which she gave up seven hits, six runs, and struck out seven.

In the championship game against Hartford, the Spartans could only produce four hits as they were shut out for the first time this season. Brittany Stratton tossed a complete game, struck out four and walked two.

Sarah Wittwer (Grand Junction, Colo.) took the loss for NSU after giving up six hits, five earned runs, and walking three batters.

Spartan Clash – Day 2 Results
Delaware State 13, NSU 8
Hartford 10, Coppin State 0
Delaware State 15, Coppin 0
Hartford 5, NSU 0

The Spartans return to their newly upgraded facility on Friday when they host the annual Spartan Classic. This year's participants include Cornell, the University of Delaware, Morgan State, Niagara, and St. Francis (Pa.). NSU takes on Delaware at 11 a.m. at the NSU Softball Field on Friday, while Morgan State plays St. Francis at 11 a.m. at Marlins Field on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan University.