The Norfolk State softball team split a pair of games during the first day of the Spartan Classic, pounding out 15 hits in a 8-0 win over Army before Monmouth exploded for an eight-run fourth inning in a 10-4 victory over the Spartans.

Senior Whitney Holland had a big day, going a combined 5-for-8 with four runs and seven RBI. Five of those RBI came courtesy of a pair of home runs to center field, one in each game. Sophomore Jamie Schulle shut out the Black Knights in six innings, giving up two hits and walking two with four strikeouts.

NSU ran its record to 1-3 on the season, while Army fell to 2-2 and Monmouth earned the victory in their first game of the 2012 season. Alissa Schoelkopf picked up the win for the Hawks despite giving up three earned runs in four innings. The right-hander struck out eight and became the beneficiary of Monmouth's big fourth inning that saw 12 batters come to the plate.

Sophomore catcher Kathy Cortez had four hits combined in the two games, including three in the win over the Black Knights. Cortez and senior center fielder Danielle Wright each scored two runs in that game, while Wright and junior second baseman Gipsy Ramirez each had two hits against Army.

Lashley took the loss for Army, giving up three earned runs on six hits in three innings of work. NSU left nine runners on base against the Black Knights.

Holland again launched a home run to center to give the Spartans a 3-0 lead in the top of the first against the Hawks, who were the designated home team for the game. Cortez and Ramirez drew one-out walks prior to Holland's shot to center that bounced off the top of the fence and fell onto the other side.

The Spartans got a run back in the top of the sixth, as Holland and Giarrizzo singled to start the frame and Ward followed with a single into left field for NSU's third straight hit of the inning. Relief pitcher Jordan Barnett then struck out the next three batters to end the threat. Kate Kuzma hit a two-run double for Monmouth in the sixth for the final scoring of the game.

Riley suffered the loss against the Hawks, allowing five earned runs on six hits in three plus innings of work. Schoelkopf and Barnett combined for 13 strikeouts in the game.

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