NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State softball team hits the road for the first time this season, continuing Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play this weekend with a three-game series at Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md.
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can follow all the action via live stats on the UMES athletics website and watch live on YouTube.
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
Saturday, March 21 – at Maryland Eastern Shore (DH) | 1 & 3 p.m.
Sunday, March 22 – at Maryland Eastern Shore | 12 p.m.
ABOUT NORFOLK STATE
The Spartans enter the weekend at 10-10 overall and 2-1 in MEAC play after taking two of three games from Delaware State to open conference action.
Norfolk State's offense has been powered by Maddy Morris, who is coming off a dominant weekend at the plate, hitting over .700 with three home runs. On the season, Morris is batting .417 with 16 runs scored, 19 RBI, and seven home runs on 25 hits.
McKaley Kohn (.351), Aniyah Michalak (.345), Bristyl Riddick (.322), and Kailey Bryant (.319) have also been key contributors offensively, each batting above .300. Bryant ranks second on the team with 22 hits, followed by Michalak with 20. Riddick has added power in the lineup with five home runs and 18 RBI, both ranking second on the team.
In the circle, Bryant and Morris lead a pitching staff that also includes Jaiden Henderson, Sam Stevenson, and Amaya McPherson. Morris has logged a team-high 52.0 innings with a 2.15 ERA and a 6-3 record, while Bryant has thrown 36.0 innings. As a staff, the Spartans carry a 3.27 ERA.
SCOUTING MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
The Hawks enter the weekend at 8-16 overall and 1-2 in conference play. UMES is coming off a strong midweek showing, earning a doubleheader sweep over Niagara and posting a 3-1 record this week against Colgate and Niagara.
Maryland Eastern Shore features a young roster with 18 underclassmen. Sophomore Lola Meyer leads the team with a .350 batting average, 21 hits, six doubles, and 12 RBI. Clarke Calvin adds a .294 average with 10 hits, 11 runs scored, and five doubles.
In the circle, reigning MEAC Pitcher of the Week Dani Brown anchors the staff with 61.2 innings pitched and a 4.20 ERA. She has recorded 37 strikeouts across 19 appearances.
SERIES HISTORY
Norfolk State holds a 75-16 all-time advantage over Maryland Eastern Shore in a series that dates back to 1992.
Last season, the Spartans won two of three meetings, taking both games of the Saturday doubleheader (4-3, 9-0) before dropping the Sunday finale (8-5).
UP NEXT
Norfolk State returns home for a five-game homestand next week, beginning with a midweek doubleheader against Mid-Atlantic University on Wednesday, March 25. Prior to the games, the Spartans will host a field dedication ceremony as the program officially renames its home facility. NSU will then continue conference play, hosting North Carolina Central for a three-game series on March 28-29.
