Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 BALTIMORE, Md. – Sophomore Haley Ward hit a combined 7-for-8 and drove in seven runs to lead the Norfolk State softball team to a pair of victories over Coppin State, 10-2, 15-3, Saturday afternoon in the conference opener for both teams.

NSU had 31 hits over the two games, including 11 extra-base hits, and along with Ward, both junior Morgan Boyd and freshman Heather Dunning had five hits apiece. It was Ward, though, who really carried the Spartans. She hit 3-for-4 with two runs and four RBI in Game 1 and 4-for-4 with two runs and three RBI in the second game at the Coppin State Softball Complex.

The victories improved NSU's record to 9-15 overall and 2-0 in the MEAC. Coppin State fell to 5-14, 0-2.

The Spartan pitching staff, on the other hand, also played well. Junior Jamie Schulle (6-8) allowed five hits and two unearned runs in the first game, which lasted just five innings because of the eight-run rule. Sophomore Liz Riley (3-6) gave up three runs, two earned, on eight hits with five strikeouts in 5.1 innings in Game 2.

NSU got going in the very first inning to start the day. Sophomore Alina Moriarty doubled to drive in Boyd, who had reached base to start the game on a bunt single. Sophomore Robyn Mitchell singled in Moriarty, and then in the second inning, Ward doubled home Boyd and senior Gipsy Ramirez singled in another run.

After Coppin State made it 4-2 in favor of the Spartans with another run in the third, NSU added two more in the fourth. Ward followed singles by Dunning and Boyd with another one-bagger, and junior Melina Valles hit an RBI groundout for a 6-2 lead.

The Spartans added four more in the fifth, all with two outs, to win by the eight-run rule. Ward doubled home a pair of runs, and Moriarty followed with a triple to bring home Ward. Ramirez hit a double to right-center to complete the scoring.

Boyd went 3-for-4 with three runs, while Moriarty (2-for-3, two runs, two RBI) and Ramirez (2-for-2, two RBI) also made contributions at the top of the lineup.

Boyd was one of six players to have at least two hits in the second game, finishing 2-for-5 with three runs. NSU got the scoring going with two outs in the second.

Ward scored freshman Whitney Williams with a single up the middle, and then two runs scored on an error on Coppin State left fielder Victoria Lopez. Later, with runners in scoring position, Mitchell doubled home a pair for a 5-0 lead. Junior Kathy Cortez followed with an RBI single before the Eagles finally got out of the inning.

The Spartans added four more in the third for a 10-0 advantage. Boyd knocked in Dunning with a single to left field, and after Ward singled, Moriarty lofted a sacrifice fly to bring home Boyd. Ramirez doubled home Ward, and one out later Cortez singled into left to allow Ramirez to cross the plate.

After Coppin State added three runs in the next two innings to keep the game going, NSU finally put things to rest with five more runs in the sixth. Mitchell doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a fielder's choice. Williams doubled for the first run of the inning, and Dunning hit an RBI infield single in the next at bat.

Another run scored on a bad throw when Dunning stole second base, and two batters later Ward doubled home the last two runs of the day to finish her strong showing against the Eagles.

Cortez and Dunning each had three hits in the second game, and both Cortez and Mitchell (2-for-3, two runs) each drove in a pair of runs as well. Williams also had two hits for the Spartans.

Boyd finished the day 5-for-9 with six runs scored, while Dunning hit 5-for-7 with four runs.

NSU will look to complete the series sweep Sunday at noon.