Spartans Split DH with Hampton, 9-0, 5-4

NORFOLK, Va. - Nine runs in the first two innings gave the Norfolk State softball team a 9-0 win over Hampton before the Pirates held on for a 5-4 victory as the two local rivals split a non-conference doubleheader Thursday evening at the NSU Softball Field.

NSU (5-12) scored three runs in the first inning of Game 1 before plating six more runs in the second inning for the five-inning victory. A big five-run fifth inning - aided by three Spartan errors - allowed the Pirates (7-18) to take Game 2.

Junior Casey Pomeroy (3-3) picked up the shutout win in Game 1, giving up four hits with three strikeouts in five innings. Pomeroy and freshman first baseman Melina Valles each added a pair of RBI as NSU posted 10 hits in just 23 at bats.

Freshman Jamie Schulle (1-5) suffered the loss in Game 2, giving up five runs, just two earned, on seven hits in all seven innings. Tiffany Brents earned her second win of the season for Hampton, allowing seven hits and four earned runs in five innings.

Junior Whitney Holland led NSU with three RBI in the second game, including her first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the bottom of the fifth. Sophomore shortstop Gipsy Ramirez hit her first collegiate home run in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit to one, 5-4, but the Spartans were unable to push across the tying run as they fell in the nightcap.

For the complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com or www.hamptonpirates.com

Kent State Sweeps B-CU

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman was swept by Kent State 16-1 and 10-3 in Thursday afternoon doubleheader.

The Wildcats (11-19) have lost four straight and seven of their last nine.

Kent State (9-16) pounded out 24 hits and strung together big innings to take control of each game. The Flashes jumped out to 4-0 leads after both first innings.

In the nightcap, Allison Garcia recovered from the first and kept KSU quiet as BCU gradually got back into it. Ashton Hinds' two-run single in the second and Simone Caesar scoring on a fourth-inning throwing error brought the Wildcats to 4-3.

Kent State then blew it open with a six-run fifth.

In the opener, Kent State scored in all five innings. The lone B-CU run came in the fourth when Aurelia Gamch led off with a triple and scored on a Garcia single.

For the complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com