NSU Pounds Morgan State, 7-0, 15-2

NORFOLK, Va. - Jamie Schulle allowed just two runs in 12 innings of work, and the Norfolk State softball team pounded Morgan State to the tune of a 7-0, 15-2 sweep Saturday afternoon in a MEAC doubleheader at the NSU Softball Field.

Schulle threw her fourth shutout of the season and struck out seven while allowing just four hits over all seven innings in the first game. She then gave up two earned runs on four hits with four more strikeouts in the five-inning victory in Game 2.

The Spartan offense, meanwhile, exploded for 25 hits on the afternoon, including a 5-for-7 day from sophomore outfielder Morgan Boyd. Senior outfielder Danielle Wright went 3-for-4 with three runs in the first game, while sophomore catcher Kathy Cortez went 2-for-4 with four RBI in the second game.

NSU ran its conference record to 6-2 on the season and its overall mark to 17-19. Morgan State fell to 7-18 overall, 1-7 in conference play.

Cortez drove in a pair of runs, while sophomore first baseman Melina Valles, Whittni Gray and Boyd, the 7-8-9 hitters in the lineup, each went 2-for-4 in Game 1.

Jordan Eades (4-9) suffered the loss, giving up seven runs, five earned, on 12 hits with four walks in five innings of work.

Tiffany Rubin's solo shot over the left field fence in the second inning gave the Bears an early 1-0 lead in Game 2, but NSU quickly answered with five runs in the bottom half of the frame. Ward doubled to the left field wall to lead off the inning and advanced to third one out later on an infield hit by junior shortstop Gipsy Ramirez. Ward scored on a wild pitch, and then a walk to Valles and a single by Gray loaded the bases.

NSU then ended any chance of a Morgan State comeback by putting an eight-spot on the board in the third inning. Ward and Holland walked, and Ramirez singled into left field to quickly load the bases. Relief pitcher Amber Bachman issued a walk to Valles and then plunked Gray on the helmet to score a pair of runs. Boyd blooped another hit, this time over the third baseman's head, for another run, and then Gray scored from second after Frame threw the ball away on a potential double play at first.

Now holding a 9-1 lead, the Spartans continued to pour it on. Cortez got credit for a single to right after neither the first nor the second baseman went for the ball to score the fifth run of the inning. Moriarty launched a sacrifice fly to center, and then Ward cleared the bases with a two-run home run over the center field fence.

Ward went 2-for-2 with three runs and two RBI, while Boyd also scored three runs and tallied two RBI in the second game. Wright, Ramirez and Gray each scored a pair of runs as well.

Schulle earned both wins to run her overall record to 9-9 on the season. Lugo (0-3) gave up seven earned runs on five hits in two innings, while Bachman gave up eight earned runs on seven hits in the latter two innings. The Bears failed to record a strikeout in the game.

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

Pitchers Lead DSU To School Record 11th Straight Win

DOVER, Del. -Delaware State combined for a 0.50 ERA Saturday afternoon at the Hornets Nest as the Hornets defeated Coppin State, 2-1 and 7-0, for their school record 10th and 11th straight wins and to stay perfect in the MEAC play at 8-0.  DSU has won 12 of their last 13 games, with a tie coming at Delaware.

The first contest of the day was a pitcher's duel, with Hornet sophomore Rachel Meagley earning her fourth win of the season, pitching 5.0 innings and giving up just one earned run against reigning MEAC Pitcher of the Year, Paige Arnold, who fell to 12-11 for the Eagles this season.  Arnold gave up two runs (one earned) with seven hits and three strikeouts while Meagley gave up just four hits with three strikeouts.

Freshman Bria Green picked up the first save of her career, going pitching a scoreless seventh inning and striking out one batter.

Coppin State picked up their lone run of the day in the first inning as Arnold walked, stole second and then scored on a single up the middle from junior Tiffani Whaley.  The Eagles left two runners stranded as freshman Taylor Kairos popped out to senior right fielder Casey Beighley to end the top of the frame.

Coppin State had an opportunity to tie the game in the top of the sixth with Whaley singling to get on base and moving her way around the bases to third before getting caught off the base to end the stanza.

Pitching held strong for the Hornets in game two, with sophomore Ashlyn Campbell held a perfect game through 3.2 innings and a no-hitter through four innings before giving up a double to center to junior Nicole Boggs.  The hit proved to be the Eagles' lone hit of the contest.

Campbell picked up her first win of the season, going 4.1 innings and giving up one hit and one walk while striking out one.  Sophomore Stephanie Sarris came in as relief for Campbell and went 2.2 innings and recording just one walk.

Whaley took the loss for the Eagles (14-17; 7-4 MEAC), going 6.0 innings and giving up 10 hits, seven runs (all earned), four walks and three wild pitches while striking out three.

Reid led the Hornets (18-11-1; 8-0 MEAC) from the plate, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored, two walks and a stolen base.  Martello ended the day going 3-for-7 with three RBI, one run and a home run while Reeger was 2-for-5 with two RBI, one run and two walks.

Whaley went 3-for-3 in game one with one RBI.

For the complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com or www.coppinstatesports.com

SC State Sweeps North Carolina Central in Conference Doubleheader

Orangeburg, S.C.- SC State swept North Carolina Central (NCCU) in a MEAC doubleheader, 7-4 and 2-1 in extra innings.  With the victory, the Lady Bulldogs pick-up its first two conference wins of the season. 

Game One of the doubleheader was a back and forth contest with SC State striking first.  A single by the Lady Bulldog's LaTavia Riley coupled with NCCU throwing error allowed Arzine Lee to score the Lady Bulldogs first run in the bottom of the first inning.  The Lady Eagles quickly countered, scoring two runs in the top of the second inning to take the 2-1 advantage.  With two outs in the bottom of the second SC State used two singles and a wild pitch to bring a run across the plate and tie the game at 2-2.  The Lady Eagles maintained their intensity, manufacturing two runs in the top of the third to regain the two run lead, 2-4.  The Lady Bulldogs then used a five run third inning to take a 7-4 lead.  Neither team scored over the next four innings giving SC State the Game One 7-4 victory. 

SC State maintained its aggressive play to start Game Two of the doubleheader.  The Lady Bulldogs once again struck first, scoring one run in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead over the Lady Eagles.  North Carolina Central scored one run off two hits in the top of the fourth inning to tie the game at 1-1.  Neither team could cross the plate over the next three innings, thus sending the game into extra innings.  The Lady Eagles had two runners in scoring position but a strong defensive stand, including a play at the plate, ended NCCU's eighth inning threat.  With two outs and two on, an error by the Lady Eagles third baseman permitted the winning run to cross the plate and give SC State the Game Two, 2-1 victory in extra innings.

Vianney Gomez picked up both wins for the Lady Bulldogs while Aurora baker and Bianka Molina were the losers in Games One and Two, respectively.  Senior Raven Johnson pitched seven innings in Game Two for the Lady Bulldogs and allowed just one run in seven hits.

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