HAMPTON, Va. - The Norfolk State softball team concluded their 2024 season facing regional rival Hampton University on Tuesday falling 7-3 in the regular season finale.

The Spartans (4-43) faced the Lady Pirates (16-33) for the second time this season after the Spartans hosted them on Mar. 19 in a 13-4 loss.

Norfolk State went up early after scoring a run in the second inning led by sophomore Emory Shorts. Shorts doubled to right center to lead off the inning and later advanced to third on a wild pitch to put herself in scoring position.

Senior TC Watson groundout to the shortstop to score Shorts as she granted the Spartans a 1-0 lead over the Pirates.

The Pirates were held scoreless through three consecutive innings before they tied it up in the bottom of the fourth, 1-1.

The Spartans caught fire in the top of the fifth to take back the lead over the Pirates. Through the first five innings of the game the Spartans never trailed.

Back-to-back walks drawn by the Spartans were then advanced by Loren Hudson to put runners at second and third with two outs.

Freshman Julia Kearney singled in the next at-bat, advancing both runners in to score as the Spartans sat comfortable leading 3-1 heading through five innings.

The Pirates tried to respond at the bottom of the fifth but the Spartans turned a double play after a fly out to center field.

The bottom of the six saw the Spartans give up their first lead of the game after the Pirates scored six unanswered runs to win 7-3.

Kearney, Rylie Gilbreath, and Shorts each finished with a hit in the game. Kearney finished with two RBIs and Shorts had one.

Kailey Bryant pitched 5.0 innings allowing only two earned runs on six hits and two strikeouts.

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