Softball | 5/8/2025 5:06:12 PM

NORFOLK, Va., May 8, 2025 – No. 2 seed Norfolk State kept its championship hopes alive with a 7-5 win over No. 5 North Carolina Central in Thursday’s elimination game at the 2025 MEAC Softball Championship.  

The Spartans will return to the field Friday, May 9, at 10 a.m. to face the winner of No. 4 Morgan State vs. No. 6 South Carolina State in the consolation semifinal. 

Norfolk State wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, striking for three runs in the top of the first inning. Emory Shorts opened the scoring with an RBI single to right, driving in Lauren Sheehan. Rookie pitcher Amaya McPherson followed with a two-RBI single, plating Shorts and Ennovi Sandoval for a 3-0 lead. 

North Carolina Central responded in the bottom of the first as Makiya Graves scored on a single to center from Takia Nichols to trim the deficit to 3-1. 

The Spartans extended their lead in the second. Sandoval doubled to right to bring home Qween Edmonds, and Sheehan later crossed the plate on a groundout by Kailey Bryant, pushing the score to 5-1. 

The Eagles clawed back into the game, scoring once in the second on a Nyla Rodgers double and adding two more in the fourth on sacrifice outs by Rodgers and Elana Krupey, making it a 5-4 contest. 

Norfolk State answered in the fifth as Brooke Riddick launched a two-run home run, scoring pinch runner Victoria Taylor and giving the Spartans a 7-4 cushion. 

N.C. Central threatened again in the seventh, scoring one final run, but the comeback fell short as Norfolk State held on for the 7-5 win. 

Fans can follow all the action and updates on the MEAC Softball Championship Central page.