NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk State softball began its 2025 season splitting a doubleheader against the Peacocks of Saint Peters on Friday. The Spartans won game one, 3-2, on a walk-off single by Lauren Sheehan, before falling in game two 6-3.

Both the Spartans and Peacocks moved to 1-1 in the season.

Norfolk State got off to a hot start with a leadoff single by Aniyah Michalak. Kailey Bryant brought in Michalak for the first run of the inning on a deep triple to center that just missed going over for a home run, to put the Spartans up 1-0.

Bryant would go on to score the second run of the game for the Spartans (2-0) after being able to run in to score on an error by the Peacock's second baseman to get Maya Johnson out at second. Johnson had reached previously on a dropped third strike.

The Peacocks continued to battle against the Spartans scoring two runs in the seventh inning to tie the score at 2-2.

Norfolk State began the seventh inning with a walk by Johnson. Kachelle Refour reached on a fielding error by the center fielder to advance to second. Qween Olivia Edmonds grounded out to advance Refour to third.

WIth two outs and a runner on, Sheehan hit the game winning single up the middle to score Refour from third, as the Spartans would go on to win 3-2.

Brierra Tyler got the start and the win for the Spartans in game one. Tyler pitched 7.0 innings, allowing two runs, on nine hits. She held the Peacocks scoreless through six consecutive innings.

The Spartans fell 6-3 in game two after a hot start by the Peacocks that vaulted them to a 4-0 lead through four innings. Bryant scored one run in inning five on a sacrifice fly as the Spartans began to mount their comeback.

At the top of the seventh inning, the Peacocks put up two insurance runs to go up 6-1 over the Spartans.

Norfolk State scored two runs on Michalak double to left center, as the Spartans closed in on the Peacocks, 6-3, but they ultimately fell to the Peacocks after a strikeout and pop up garnered the last two outs of the inning.

Freshman Jaiden Henderson pitched 3.1 innings in her first collegiate start before being relieved by the Spartans.

Bryant had an incredible performance across both games finishing with three hits, two RBIs, two stolen bases, a triple, and a sacrifice fly in six at-bats.

Norfolk State's next games are on Saturday against Mercyhurst at 11:30 a.m. and Saint Peter's again at 2 p.m. in Norfolk, Va. at the NSU Softball Field.

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