Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 NORFOLK, Va. -- The Norfolk State University softball team win both games of the doubleheader against the Hawks from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday afternoon at the NSU Softball Field. NSU won the game one, 5-1, and game two, 8-6.

After a scoreless first inning for both teams, the Spartans scored two in the bottom of the second inning taking a 2-0 lead over the Hawks. The first run came home after Cam Andersen hit a double to right center that drove in Kenna Higa. A Jade Dixon single to right field scored Victoria Taylor for the second run of the inning. 

The next two innings of game one went by without a runner crossing home plate despite UMES having two runners left on base and NSU leaving one stranded. 

Norfolk State found three more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to put their lead at 5-0. The scoring began on a Gabby Vaughan play where she reached third base on a double error play by the Hawks sending Brianna Rucker home on the play. The final two Spartan runs came home on Andersen's second double of the game, this one to left field, sending Vaughan and Higa home on the play. 

The Hawks managed to get one run across home plate in the top of the sixth inning to hold off the shutout but did not manage to catch the Spartans as they took game one 5-1. 

Game two saw both teams score a run in the opening inning as an Andersen single up the middle drove in Rylie Gilbreath to even the score at 1-1. 

Maryland Eastern Shore sent two more across home plate in the top of the third as a triple to right field drove in a pair of runs. Norfolk State countered with a trio of runs in the bottom of the third taking a 4-3 lead. 

The first run of the third scored as Alison Guckin came home off a Gilbreath doubled to right field. Gilbreath later found her way home scoring on a wild pitch, while Higa hit a solo home run over the left field wall for the third run of the inning. 

The fourth inning was scoreless for both teams while NSU added four more in the bottom of the fifth beginning with a double from Lauren Sheehan that scored Higa. An Emory Shorts groundout sent Victoria Taylor home, while a Yrral Davis triple to right scored Sheehan. Davis later came home when Guckin singled to the second baseman giving Norfolk State an 8-3 lead. 

UMES tried to rally in the top of the seventh inning as they sent three runs across home plate but NSU's defense held on to get the last three outs and win the game 8-6.

Norfolk State is back in action on Tuesday, May 2, when they travel back down to North Carolina to take on the Fighting Camels of Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC. The doubleheader game times are set for 2 and 4 PM. 

For complete coverage of Norfolk State athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @NSUSpartans (Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.