Norfolk State tallied six runs in the top of the first inning en route to a 6-3 over Coppin State Thursday afternoon in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball Championship Tournament at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex.

Norfolk State (24-24) will face the loser of Hampton vs. Florida A&M game tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Gipsy Ramirez scored first for the Spartans with a two-run single. Danielle Wright followed with a two-run double to go ahead 4-0 in the opening inning.  NSU scored its final runs with the help of Ramirez, Liz Riley and Whitney Holland.

Coppin State rallied in the bottom of the third and scored when Paige Arnold, the 2012 MEAC Pitcher of the Year, scored in the third.  Arnold doubled in the fourth and scored Patrice Williams and Samantha Denlinger to cut the lead to 6-3. 

Norfolk State was able to hold on for the 6-3 victory.

Jamie Schulle (13-10) earned the win giving up five hits and three earned runs with three strikeouts in seven innings.

Tiffani Whaley (2-7) took the loss for the Lady Eagles after giving up all six earned runs on four hits with two walks while recording just one out to start the game.

Paige Arnold was 3-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI. In relief, the pitcher gave up three hits and struck out seven in 6.2 innings.

Coppin State concluded its season at 20-22.