Norfolk State Sweeps North Carolina Central

Jamie Schulle and Liz Riley combined to allow just one earned run, and Haley Ward's 5-for-5 effort in Game 2 propelled the Norfolk State softball team to a 6-3, 7-1 doubleheader sweep of North Carolina Central Wednesday afternoon at the Walnut Creek Complex.

Schulle gave up just one earned run and struck out eight in all seven innings in the first game of the day, while Riley's solo home run kick started a three-run third inning. Riley then allowed just three hits and one unearned run in a complete game in Game 2.

Ward became the fifth player ever in NSU history to hit three doubles in a game as part of her five-hit performance in the nightcap. Fellow freshman Alina Moriarty added a pair of hits in each game to help NSU improve to 12-15 overall on the season. The Eagles fell to 3-28 overall this year and dropped their ninth straight game to the Spartans.

In Game 1,  Bianka Molina (2-14) gave up six runs, one earned, on seven hits with three strikeouts in all seven innings for the Eagles. Schulle (6-7) allowed six hits - three by left fielder Cember Carmichael - to go along with her eight-strikeout performance.

Riley and Valles each scored a pair of runs in Game 1.

After the Spartans scored an unearned run in the top of the first in the second game for the early lead, the Eagles scored their only run on one of two Spartan errors in the game. NSU then broke the contest open with three runs in the fifth and another three runs in the seventh.

Riley (6-8) struck out five and allowed three hits in all seven innings. Aurora Baker (1-11) suffered the loss, giving up all 13 hits and seven runs, three earned, in seven innings of work.

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

USF EDGES RATTLERS, 6-5

TAMPA, Fla. (March 28)  - Kyle Teaf hit into a fielder's choice scoring Anthony Diaz in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the University of South Florida past the Florida A&M Baseball team, 6-5, Wednesday evening at USF Baseball Stadium.

Both Scott Shelplak and Reginald Grant finished with three hits each to lead the Rattlers as FAMU finished with a game high 12 hits, while both Todd Brazeal and Luis Llerena finished with two hits apiece to lead USF as they finished with eight hits on the night.

Nick Gonzalez (2-1) received the win for the Bulls as he pitched two innings of relief, striking out three in the six batters he faced, while Cory Franklin (0-1) received the loss for the Rattlers as he gave up one hit, one earned runs and striking out two in one and one-third inning of relief for FAMU.

Grant gave the Rattlers a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning as he scored on Khiry Hernandez to right field.

Aaron Smith extended FAMU's lead to 2-0 as he scored on a Grant single down the right field in the top of the fourth inning.

Llerena cut the Rattlers' lead to 2-1 as he scored on James Ramsay shortstop to catcher double-play in the bottom of the fifth inning.

FAMU increased their lead to 4-1 as Smith homered to lead off the inning, followed by an USF wild pitch scoring Ryan Sheplak in the top of the fourth inning.

USF would score four runs in the bottom of the sixth as both Zac Gilcrease and Brazeal scored on a Llerna single down the right field line, followed by an Alex Menedez sacrifice fly scoring Teaf.  Then Llerena would score on a Chad Taylor double to right field, giving the Bulls a 5-4 lead.

Scott Sheplak would tie the game at 5-5 as he score on an USF error in the top of the seventh inning. 

USF would win the game 6-5 as Diaz scored on fielder's choice for the finale.

For the complete story, visit www.famuathletics.com