Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 NORFOLK, Va. – Junior Robyn Mitchell belted three home runs on the day to lead the Norfolk State softball team to a doubleheader sweep of Rider on Thursday afternoon at the NSU Softball Field.

Her two-run shot in game 1 proved to be the difference as the Spartans prevailed, 3-2. In the second game, Mitchell hit a solo homer in the fourth and a three-run shot in the bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings.

Junior Liz Riley then provided the final heroics, hitting a walk-off, two-run double with two outs in the eighth for a 7-6 victory.

But it was Mitchell who really gave NSU a spark, as she finished the day 3-for-7 with three runs and six RBI. She entered the day with 130 career at bats in a Spartan uniform without a single home run before her power surge against the Broncs.

Her two-run bomb to center field in the fifth inning of game one gave NSU (6-13) a 3-0 lead. Those extra runs came in handy, as Rider plated a pair in the seventh and threatened to tie it up.

After a single with one out, Rider's Amanda Crimarco hit a two-run home run over the left field fence, and a double by Allysen Breeden put the tying run on second. NSU starter Jamie Schulle, though, retired the next two batters on a groundout and a popup to preserve the win.

Schulle pitched all seven inning and gave up eight hits and two earned runs while striking out five.

NSU got on the board first with a run in the second. After junior Sommer Di Fulgo put runners in scoring position with a double off the center field fence, sophomore Heather Dunning followed with a base hit through the hole between short and third.

Schulle also ran her record to 6-5 this year after also picking up the win in game 2 in relief.

NSU fell behind 4-0 before tallying single runs in the fourth and fifth. The Broncs (2-11) added another run in the sixth for a 5-2 lead, but the Spartans rallied in the bottom of the seventh.

Senior Morgan Boyd placed a bunt single right in front of the plate with one out, and Dunning followed with a surprise bunt to third. Mitchell, who had moved up to the third spot in the lineup for the second game, then lofted one toward the left center gap.

The NSU players hesitated at first, not sure if the ball had gone over the fence after it died on the first hop. But the celebration began after the umpire signaled the home run, and the Spartans survived to play another inning.

Amanda Irving hit an RBI double in the top of the eighth to give the Broncs the lead back, and Rider had the bases loaded with just one out. Emily Cottrell then lofted one to center, but Boyd made the catch and threw out Irving, who had strayed too far from second.

Down 6-5 at that point, NSU did not get off to a good start in the eighth. Pinch runner Kathy Cortez started the inning on second due to international tiebreaker rules but was thrown out at third on a bunt attempt from leadoff batter Mikki Haury.

Freshman Devon Bitler drew a walk, and Di Fulgo lined a single into right center to load the bases. Sophomore Megan Dunning popped up to the catcher in foul territory for the second out. Pinch hitter Riley then deposited a 2-1 pitch over the left fielder's head to plate the final two runs of the game.

Schulle earned the victory after pitching five innings of relief, allowing six hits and three runs, just one earned.

Boyd finished the day 5-for-7. Heather Dunning hit 3-for-6 with two RBI as well.

The Spartans will begin MEAC play on Saturday when they host Coppin State for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.