PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Tuli Iosefa launched her 29th career home run, tying the school record home runs in a career, to help the Norfolk State softball team to its 31st win of the season with a 4-3 come from behind victory over Maryland Eastern Shore on Sunday afternoon on Hawk Field. The win ties the program record for wins in a season during the Division I era.
The home run by Iosefa ties the home run record set by Kylee Lopez from 2016-19. Iosefa leads the MEAC this season with now nine home runs.
Things looked bright for NSU early on during UMES' senior day game with the Spartans loading the bases in both the first and second innings, but the Hawks were able to get out the jam both times to keep the game scoreless.
In the bottom of the third, UMES took advantage of the lone error by the Spartans and were able to put runners on second and third with one out. Tatum Kresley then hit a 2-RBI triple to put the home team up by two. After a pop up to right field, Julia Garcia hit a double to right center that scored Kresley to give the Hawks a 3-0 lead after three.
Starting in the fourth, it was all Spartans. Victoria Ruiz started off the inning getting hit by a pitch for the second time in the game and advanced to second on a Gabby Gosman sacrifice bunt. Alison Guckin then scored Ruiz on a double down the left field line before being tagged out trying to stretch it into a triple.
Gabby Vaughan led off the top of the fifth with a single hit hard down the right field line. Hannah Jessie came in to pinch run for Vaughan. After stealing second Jessie advanced to third when NSU took advantage of a fielding error by the Hawks. On a Rylie Gilbreath fielders' choice, Jessie was able to cross the plate and pull the Spartans within one after five complete.
In the top of the sixth, after Gosman grounded out and Guckin struck out. Iosefa hit her home run over the fence in left field to tie the game up heading to the seventh.
Loren Hudson came in and pinch hit for Yrral Davis and drew a walk before Davis came back in. After a wild pitch put Davis on second, Lily Potter laid down a bunt single and ran to second with the base not being covered as the Spartans now had runners on second and third with no outs. Gilbreath hit a deep ball to right field for a sacrifice fly that allowed Potter to reach third and Davis scoring the go-ahead run.
Alexis Robinson induced a pop up, ground out, and fly out to end the seventh and give the Spartans their 31st win. She finished with a complete game, her fifth of the season, to collect her 16th win in the circle.
The Spartans (31-21, 16-5 MEAC) will begin preparing for the 2022 MEAC Softball Championship from May 11-14. NSU is hosting this year's tournament with the Spartans starting their championship run in Game 1 against No. 6 seed Coppin State at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11.
