“We’re coming for blood;” Spartan Softball Seeks Championship in 2023

The Norfolk State softball team had plenty to hang its hat on last season. 

The Spartans set numerous program records, racking up 34 wins for just the fourth time in team history, and the first time at the Division I level. They compiled a 16-5 MEAC record, the most conference victories the team has recorded since joining the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 1998.

Despite these historic feats, the season’s conclusion (an 8-7 loss to Howard in the MEAC Tournament) left a bitter taste in NSU’s mouth, a feeling the team has no plans of experiencing again.

“We want to take home a ring,” pitcher Alexis Robinson said.

A new commander leads the Spartans into battle this year, hoping to keep Norfolk State on the upward trajectory it has enjoyed these past few years. Well, not completely new. First-year head coach Carrie Hoeft joined the NSU staff as a volunteer assistant before the 2021 season, eventually transition to full-time assistant before accepting the head coaching position last summer.

By promoting from within the program, the Spartans haven’t had to go through the learning stages that many teams experience with a new head coach.

“I think my relationship with the players definitely helps,” Hoeft said. “It’s easier to know what’s going to push them without upsetting them or going too far. It works well because I feel like I know their limitations, so I can give them a realistic goal that I feel they can reach, and because I know them so well, I can help them get there.”

Hoeft leads an experienced group into the 2023 campaign, featuring no shortage of proven talents. The Spartans led the MEAC with seven Preseason All-MEAC selections, with five players on the First Team: Robinson, first baseman Gabby Vaughan, third baseman Kenna Higa, and outfielders Imani Moore and Alison Guckin. 

One of those honorees, Moore, watched from the dugout as Norfolk State’s season came to an end against Howard last April. The 5-9 senior suffered a season-ending knee injury more than halfway through conference play, missing the final 10 contests of the spring. 

Although the long-lasting impact of the injury has admittedly hampered some of her athleticism on the field, it hasn’t curbed any of her enthusiasm for her last go-around of college softball.

“It’s been a lot of ups and downs, I’ve learned a lot about myself and how far I can push myself,” Moore said. “All that matters to me is that I’m playing again, and everyone here has supported me and been very patient.”

Alongside Preseason Second Team selection Yrral Davis, Guckin and Moore are confident in the team’s defensive capabilities in the outfield.

“Don’t expect a ball to drop,” Guckin said.

“It’s a no-fly zone,” Moore added. 

On the mound, the Spartans are led by Cam Anderson and Brierra Tyler in addition to the Preseason All-MEAC selection Robinson. The trio has given themselves the nickname “ABC,” combining the premier letter of each’s first name.

“We definitely have different personalities and I think that meshes well together, while we also have a genuine respect for each other,” Andersen said. “I think that makes us a lot stronger as a unit to be able to push forward and get what we need to get done.”

All three slung the ball with velocity and precision last year, combining for 178 strikeouts and compiling 25 wins. Tyler, a sophomore, says the senior Andersen and Robinson have displayed strong examples throughout her young career, but the veterans insist Tyler has hit her stride without much help.

“I wouldn’t say teach, if anything we’ve guided her,” Robinson said. “She came in and did her job as a freshman honestly really well. We’ve just supported her at that and she’s done great.”

The Spartans brought in an abundance of talent this offseason from high school and through the transfer portal, complementing an already bountiful roster.  

Leah Wisswell and TC Watson come to Norfolk State from Paul D. Camp Community College in Franklin, Va. It’s the same institution that produced their outfield teammate Victoria Ruiz, who appeared in 47 games last year. 

Ruiz, Wisswell, Watson, sophomores Victoria Taylor, Lauren Sheehan, Brianna Rucker, and freshman Lisa Zorb round out the team’s deep group of outfielders.

“Lisa does a great job defensively and her speed will help us on the basepaths,” Hoeft said. “She’ll probably be running quite a bit for us.”

The Spartans added freshmen Emory Shorts, and Emree Sky Obispo to provide depth around the infield, learning from a core of veterans that include shortstop Jade Dixon, second baseman Lily Potter, and third basemen Morgan Johnson and Gabby Gosman (another Paul D. Camp contribution).

“Emory and Emree play in the middle, both of them are very quick and athletic defensively,” Hoeft said. “The middle infield is going to be hard to break through with multiple players fighting for the shortstop and second base slots.”

Senior Loren Hudson, sophomore Rylie Gilbreath and freshman Maya Johnson are likely candidates to receive significant opportunities catching behind the plate. Gilbreath led the group with 150 putouts last year, while Hudson followed closely behind with 112. But don’t rule out the first-year of the group, whom Hoeft expects to make an immediate impact in her opening season.

“I do expect Maya to have a breakout year, just with her power at the plate and her ability to catch from behind the plate,” Hoeft said. “I think she’s going to be a really nice addition.”

Norfolk State promoted from within for the head coaching job, and the program did the same at the assistant positions. All three of the team’s staff members under Hoeft once donned a Spartan uniform and helped transform the program to what it has become today: Shannon Buffington (2nd Season), Tuli Iosefa (1st Season), and Shelby DesChamps (1st Season).

Iosefa made her impact on the playing field most recently of the three, earning the 2022 MEAC Player of the Year award while shattering NSU’S career home run record. Iosefa and DesChamps have made the transition to coaching seamlessly. 

“Shelby puts in a lot of effort trying to make sure everybody is on point, and she does a great job of working with our hitters and slappers, preparing them to read the defense and approach their at bat the way they should be,” Hoeft said. “Tuli helps out as she can, going over the players swings with them. I’m so thankful that both of them are here.”

The Spartans have an opportunity to show off the results of their offseason preparation very soon, opening the season against Youngstown State on Monday, Feb. 13. The teams will play a doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., before returning to the field on Tuesday at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

“We’re coming for blood,” Moore said. “We’re very focused and we’re very versatile.”