NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State softball team fell to Delaware State 9-8 in an elimination game of the 2026 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball Tournament on Friday morning at TowneBank Field.
With the win, the Hornets improve to 25-19 overall, while the Spartans conclude the 2026 campaign with a 22-21 record.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless opening inning, Norfolk State struck first in the second as Julia Kearney delivered an RBI single to score Maya Johnson and give the Spartans a 1-0 lead.
NSU extended its advantage in the third inning with four runs to move ahead 5-0. Maddy Morris opened the scoring in the frame with a bunt single that brought home Kachelle Refour. Later in the inning, Kailey Bryant scored on a Delaware State fielding error before Morris and Maya Johnson both crossed the plate on another Hornet error during Kearney's at-bat.
Delaware State answered with a run in the bottom of the third before erupting for four runs in the fourth inning to tie the game at 5-5. A bases-clearing double accounted for three of the runs during the rally.
The Spartans regained the lead in the fifth when Bryant singled to left field, driving in Refour and McKaley Kohn to put Norfolk State back in front, 7-5.
The Hornets responded once again in the bottom half of the inning, plating four runs to reclaim the lead at 9-7.
Norfolk State attempted a late comeback in the seventh inning as Amaya McPherson launched a solo home run, but the rally came up just short as Delaware State secured the 9-8 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Kailey Bryant led the Spartans offensively, going 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored
- Amaya McPherson finished 3-for-3 with a home run, one RBI, and one run scored
- Kachelle Refour recorded two hits, drew two walks, and scored twice
- Maya Johnson scored two runs and added an RBI in her final game as a Spartan
UP NEXT
Norfolk State concludes the 2026 season with a 22-21 overall record.
