PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – The Norfolk State softball team dropped both ends of a MEAC doubleheader on the road to Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday. The Spartans fell in the opener 4-3 before losing the afternoon cap, 5-1.

UMES got on the scoreboard first in game one. The first two batters reached on singles and eventually came around and scored to put the Hawks up 2-0 in the bottom of the first.

It did not take long for the Spartans to respond. Kenna Higa led off the top of the second with a single to right field. Victoria Ruiz came in and pinch ran for Higa before Yrral Davis earned a walk to put runners on first and second. Back-to-back hard-hit singles up the middle by Rylie Gilbreath and Lauren Sheehan scored both Ruiz and Davis to tie the score up at 2-2.

It wasn't until the fourth that the Hawks scored again to retake the lead. With one out, a single through the left side and followed by a double to right center score a run and put UMES up 3-2.

Once again, the Spartans responded with a leadoff double by Alison Guckin to right field. A sacrifice bunt by Lily Potter pushed Guckin to third. A single through the left side allowed Guckin to score and tie the game for the second time.

The Hawks would score the game's final run in the bottom of the fifth after two singles pushed a runner home.

Joana Vallejo took her first MEAC loss in the game with 4.1 innings in the circle. She finished with one strikeout.

Game two saw the Spartans get on the board first when Gabby Vaughan led off the second inning with a triple to right center. She came around and scored when Davis stole second and the Hawks attempted a throw down.

NSU led until the bottom of the fourth when the Hawks tied the score and then scored two runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings to pull away for the 5-1 win over the Spartans.

The two teams will play their final MEAC regular season game on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.