NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk State softball team could not overcome Howard in the squad's regular season finale on Sunday, falling 17-4 at NSU Softball Field.
 
Every senior for the Spartans (21-21, 14-7 MEAC) played on Senior Day against the Bison for their final regular season game at Norfolk State. The Spartans recognized all six seniors prior to the first pitch: Savannah Drozda, Victoria Taylor, Brierra Tyler, Lauren Sheehan, Kira Turner, and Emma Zieg.
 
The Bison utilized two singles and an error to score their first run in the first inning, taking a 1-0 lead.
 
Strong defense by Norfolk State's Bristyl Riddick and Emory Shorts caught a Howard runner stealing, but the Bison scored a runner from third on the play to take a 2-0 lead.
 
Howard doubled and singled in the top of the third to take a 3-0 lead.
 
With one out in the top of the third, the Spartans forced a double play as pitcher Kailey Bryant caught a popup and threw it to second baseman Shorts to get the final two outs of the inning.
 
Sheehan drew a walk and Ennovi Sandoval took a hit by pitch to put runners in scoring position for the Spartans in the bottom of the third inning. Bryant's ensuing double to left center scored Sheehan for Norfolk State's first run of the game.
 
Shorts took a hit by pitch to load the bases for the Spartans in the same inning. Turner drew a walk from there to bring the Spartans within one run of the Bison, 3-2.
 
Bristyl Riddick produced an RBI single to left field to tie the game for Spartans at 3-3. A walk drawn by Savannah Drozda gave the Spartans a one-run lead over the Bison in the same inning.
 
In total, Norfolk State scored four runs on two hits in the bottom of the third inning – all with two outs.
 
The Bison posted six runs on four hits in the top of the fourth to take a 9-4 lead, earning control of the ballgame. Howard added eight runs on seven hits in the top of the fifth to reach 17 for the afternoon. Norfolk State could not rally from there, as the Bison cliched their 15^th consecutive victory.
 
The Spartans now face a ten-day hiatus before the start of the 2025 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball Championship taking place from Wednesday, May 7 to Saturday, May 10.
 
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