Spartans Take Series Finale over Morgan State, 11-2
BALTIMORE, Md. - A day after winning a pair of close calls against Morgan State, the Norfolk State softball team had a much easier time on Sunday during an 11-2 victory in the series finale.
NSU won two games by one run each on Saturday and then finished the sweep of the Bears on Sunday in just five innings at Lois T. Murray Field. First-place NSU moved to 8-1 in the MEAC Northern Division on the season as well as 9-17 overall after its fifth straight win.
NSU pounded out 14 hits, including five doubles. Senior center fielder Alina Moriarty hit 4-for-4 with one run and three RBI, while junior third baseman Whitney Williams batted 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI. She also added her third home run of the season.
Senior catcher Sommer Di Fulgo and junior right fielder Megan Dunning each batted 2-for-2 on the day. Dunning drove in three runs, while Di Fulgo had a pair of RBI and scored two runs as well.
The Spartans will host Longwood for a non-conference doubleheader at 5 p.m. on Thursday before welcoming Delaware State to town next weekend. Saturday's twinbill against the Hornets will also serve as Senior Day.
For complete stories, visit www.nsuspartans.com or www.morganstatebears.com
S.C. State Defeats N.C. Central, 9-6
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University held a four-run lead late but two costly errors allowed South Carolina State University back into the game and eventually win the rubber game of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) softball series, 9-6, at Parkwood Athletic Field Sunday.
Junior leftfielder Markell Wylie led the Lady Eagles reaching base in all four of her plate appearances. Wylie totaled three singles and one walk.
NCCU continues MEAC play with a road trip to Tallahassee, Florida, for a three-game series at Florida A&M University on Saturday-Sunday, April 18-19.
For complete stories, visit www.scsubulldogs.com or www.nccueaglepride.com
Hornets Swarm Eagles to Take Both Games in Sunday’s Doubleheader
Baltimore, Md. – The Delaware State softball team (9-21, 3-4 MEAC) tallied a combined 34 runs, 27 hits and five homers in Sunday afternoon’s road doubleheader against the Coppin State Eagles (3-20, 3-5 MEAC), as the Hornets cruised to a 14-5 six-inning victory in game one, followed by a 20-4 five-inning shellacking in game two.
At game one’s end, the Hornets finished with 12 hits, led by Sandy Hawthorne scoring twice and nearly hitting for the cycle falling a homer short. Gazzola, meanwhile, went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a double, whereas infielder Jordan Stamps went 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. In the circle, sophomore Tara Tursellino (6-14) surrendered six hits, five walks, three earned runs and tallied five K’s in the winning effort.
Game two, on the other hand, saw Delaware State blow the game wide open early on with Washington tallying a three-run RBI-double and Stamps (4) blasting a two-run bomb over the left field fence.
Offensively, the Hornets registered season-highs in runs (20), RBI (19), hits (15) and home runs (4), as Gazzola’s all-around outing in game two included a 4-for-5 effort, scoring three times, notching a double and a stolen base. Hawthorne, who leads DSU in walks (16), went 1-for-1 with three runs and three walks drawn.
Coming up, the Columbia Blue & Red will aim for the series sweep over the Eagles tomorrow at 4 p.m.
For complete stories, visit www.dsuhornets.com or www.coppinstatesports.com