LYNCHBURG, Va. – Norfolk State rallied with four runs in the seventh inning and then won in eight to top Sacred Heart on Saturday, 7-6. The Spartan softball team later used eight walks to win in five innings over Rhode Island, 8-0, during the third day of the Liberty Softball Classic.

The Spartans improved their record to 5-8, going 3-2 at the tournament held at Kamphuis Field at Liberty Softball Stadium. They first rallied from a four-run deficit against the Pioneers to eventually take the extra-inning win. NSU only needed four hits to top the Rams in its second game of the day while limiting Rhode Island to just two hits.

Against Rhode Island, sophomore Marissa Marrero pitched six innings in relief to earn the win, allowing eight hits and three runs, two earned, with three strikeouts. She also won the matchup with Rhode Island to improve her record to 3-4 on the year.

Marrero scattered two hits in five innings with one walk and two K’s. Her Ram counterparts struggled in the circle, allowing eight walks, including seven by starter Julia Waraksy in the first 1.2 innings of play.

Junior Kayla McNair had four RBI while Heather Dunning went 2-for-3 with three runs scored in the afternoon contest against Rhode Island. McNair also went 1-for-2 with two RBI in the first game of the day. Williams and Bitler each had two hits against Sacred Heart, and freshman Stephanie Davenport drove in two runs as well.

NSU also drew nine walks against the Pioneers along with eight against Rhode Island. McNair and junior Devon Bitler each had four of those totals free passes on the day.

NSU will host UMBC on Tuesday at 1 p.m. for a doubleheader at the NSU Softball Field.