NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State softball team split its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opening doubleheader against Delaware State on Saturday afternoon at the NSU Softball Field. The Hornets held off a late Spartan rally to take game one 7-6, while Norfolk State responded with a 7-4 victory in game two behind three home runs.
GAME 1 – Delaware State 7, Norfolk State 6
Norfolk State struck first in the bottom of the first inning when
Maddy Morris launched a solo home run over the left-field wall.
Delaware State answered with two runs in the top of the second inning to take a 2-1 lead before the Spartans evened the score in the bottom half of the inning.
Kailey Bryant delivered a single that brought
Kachelle Refour home to tie the game at two.
The Hornets reclaimed the lead with three runs in the fourth inning, but Norfolk State responded in the bottom half when
McKaley Kohn tripled to right field to score
Julia Kearney and cut the deficit to 5-3.
Both teams added two runs in the fifth inning. The Spartans' runs came on a two-run home run from
Aniyah Michalak that also scored Morris.
After a scoreless sixth inning, Morris added another solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, but the rally fell just short as Delaware State secured the 7-6 win.
GAME 2 – Norfolk State 7, Delaware State 4
Delaware State opened game two with two runs in the first inning to take the early advantage.
The Spartans quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning with back-to-back home runs from
Qween Edmonds and Morris to even the score at 2-2.
Norfolk State took the lead in the second inning when
Maya Johnson sent a two-run home run over the center-field wall, driving in Kohn to give the Spartans a 4-2 advantage.
NSU extended its lead in the third inning as consecutive singles from Johnson and Amya McPherson brought home
Aniyah Michalak and Kohn, pushing the score to 6-2.
The Hornets trimmed the deficit with two runs in the fifth inning, but Norfolk State answered in the bottom half when McPherson singled to score Kohn for the Spartans' seventh run.
The Spartan defense held Delaware State scoreless over the final two innings to secure the 7-4 victory.
UP NEXT
Norfolk State returns to the field on Sunday to conclude the three-game series against Delaware State. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at the NSU Softball Field.