Norfolk State Swings Past Howard 6-1, Secures Spot in MEAC Softball Championship
ORMOND BEACH, FLA. - No. 4 Norfolk State remained alive in the MEAC Softball Tournament as the Spartans defeated No. 2 seed Howard, 2-1 at the Ormond Sports Complex. With the loss, Howard was eliminated from the tournament.
Ky Brown earned her 10th win of the season, striking out two and allowing four hits in five innings of work. HU sophomore Christina McCoy took the loss for Howard, dropping her season record to 7-5 with three hits and three runs in two innings. Senior Dale McNeal pitched the final five innings and finished with 10 strike outs, her second highest total of the season.
"I thought we had one of our best pitching performances of the season from Dale," Howard coach Tonja Braxton said. "She really came out attacking the Norfolk State hitters."
Freshman Jessica Hurston led the Bison at the plate, going 2-for-2 with one RBI. Classmate Jessica Norwood and senior Brianne Gutierrez added two hits each.
Brianeisha Eure was perfect from the plate for NSU, going 2-for-2 with two runs. The Spartans out-hit the Bison, 9-7. Howard left 10 runners on base.
Howard's best-shot at scoring came in the bottom of the fourth inning as Sondra Jones' fielder's choice loaded the bases, but HU could not score on the ensuing play as Courtney Young flied out to right field.
