BALTIMORE, Md. - The Norfolk State softball team took down Morgan State 6-1 on Saturday afternoon, leaping past the Bears into second place in the MEAC standings in the process.
The Spartans (16-16, 10-4 MEAC) secured their 10th MEAC win in dominant fashion over the Bears (13-22, 9-5 MEAC), after weather altered the weekend schedule to a single game on Saturday to precede a Sunday doubleheader.
Norfolk State ended Morgan State's eight-game win streak in the head-to-head series between the teams, dating back to the 2022 season. The result also marked Norfolk State's first road win over Morgan State Mar. 24, 2019.
The Bears struck first with an RBI-double by MEAC Softball Preseason Player of the Year Victoria Fletcher in the bottom of the first -- the only run of the game for the Bears.
Norfolk State held Morgan State scoreless through six consecutive innings, allowing only four hits in that span.
The Spartans took the lead in the top of the fourth behind two runs and three hits.
Ennovi Sandoval and
Kailey Bryant both reached on singles, before scoring on a double by
Emory Shorts to push Norfolk State in front.
Without looking back, the Spartans put up two runs each in the top of the fifth and sixth innings.
The top of the fourth saw Sandoval single to score Edmonds and Refour. Norfolk State led 4-1 after five.
The top of the sixth began with a Shorts double.
Aniyah Michalak, pinch running for Shorts, advanced to third on a passed ball as a walk drawn by
Kira Turner put runners on the corners for the Spartans.
Michalak scored and Turner advanced on a passed ball to increase the Spartans' lead to 5-1.
Maddy Morris reached in her at-bat, as the Spartans increased their cushion. Morris and Turner put the Bears in a pickle with a double steal, resulting in Turner stealing home and Morris taking second.
Turner's run gave the Spartans a 6-1 lead, which NSU would hold for the remainder of the ballgame.
Sandoval and Shorts led the charge for the Spartans, each securing two hits and two RBIs.
Amaya McPherson secured her seventh win of the season by pitching 3.2 innings, allowing no earned runs against 16 batters faced.
The Spartans and the Bears end their series with a doubleheader on Sunday. Game one begins at 12 p.m. as game two is set to begin at 2 p.m.
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