Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 NORFOLK, Va. – During a doubleheader match-up between the North Carolina Central University softball team and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference northern division opponent, Norfolk State, the Lady Eagles captured their first victory of the 2013 season during game one against the Spartans 6-4 before falling to NSU 8-4 in game two.

The start of game one was a defensive battle between the Lady Eagles and the Spartans where both teams held each other scoreless for the first two innings of play.

Entering the top of the third inning, with two outs already on the board, junior transfer London Germ reached first base on a throwing error while then advancing to second base on the over throw. With Germ in scoring position, senior Nadia Jefferies came to the plate for the second time during her 2013 season debut game and doubled deep to center field, scoring Germ, and putting the Lady Eagles ahead 1-0 going to the bottom of the third.

To close the third inning the Spartans answered NCCU’s run after scoring a walked batter from second on a single to center field from NSU’s Moriarty to tie the game at one.

The fourth remained scoreless between both teams before the Spartans pulled ahead in the bottom of the fifth inning off a single from Alina Moriarty scored NSU’s leadoff batter, Morgan Boyd.

At the top of the line up for the Lady Eagles to start the sixth inning Germ reached first on a single up the first base line, while Jefferies was safe after a bobbled sacrifice bunt to the pitch, advancing Germ. Junior transfer Camille Hampton came to the plate for the Lady Eagles hitting her first home run in Maroon and Gray over the center field fence and putting NCCU back on top 4-2.

Holding NSU scoreless during the bottom of the sixth the Lady Eagles made three substations to their batting lineup to start the final inning of the game. Red shirt freshman Joy Simpson leadoff during the seventh, approaching the plate for the first time in collegiate career. Simpson joined Hampton earning her first career homerun as a Lady Eagle. Regina Diaz also entered the lineup as a pinch hitter hitting a single to left field. Third substitution for NCCU, freshman Julia Sanders, singled to center field, scoring Diaz, before being thrown out at second base. Entering the bottom of the seventh inning the Lady Eagles held a 6-2 lead.

NSU’s last stab at NCCU scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning was not enough to hold off the Lady Eagles as they took home the 6-4 victory.

Rookie pitcher London Booker (1-3) threw a complete game against the Spartans throwing all seven innings while giving up 10 NSU hits, four runs, all earned, walking one batter and striking out two.

Game two of the doubleheader proved to be an offensive battle between the two teams. NSU struck first scoring off a wild pitch in the bottom of the first inning before five additional runs between the second and third innings, leading the Lady Eagles 6-0.

NCCU answered during the top of the fourth inning, after a single down the left field side from Hampton started off the mid-game hitting rally. Shakemia Edwards reached on a fielder’s choice before freshman Amber Kirkland doubled down the left field line, advancing Edwards to third. Jenny Tracy knocked in Edwards on a single to right field, followed by a single from senior Bianka Molina scoring Kirkland.

Following NSU’s pitching change, freshman Markell Wylie, who pinch ran for Molina, stole second base. Sophomore left fielder Tiphani Jackson received her first hit of the game on a single down the right field line, scoring Tracy and advancing Wylie to third. Simpson ended the Lady Eagles scoring streak after a single to right field scored Wylie, leaving NCCU down to the Spartans 6-4.   

The Lady Eagles would remain scoreless for the rest of the ball game while NSU added two more runs to its total count, finishing game two of the doubleheader with the home field victory of 8-4.

Molina (0-4) took home the loss for NCCU pitching four innings, allowing 10 hits, eight runs, seven earned runs, two walks and striking out four Spartan batters.

The Lady Eagles advance to 1-7 on the season while NSU advances to 1-1.

NCCU returns to the field Friday, Feb. 22 as they travel to Chattanooga, Tenn., for the Chattanooga Frost Classic, hosted by Chattanooga State facing Ohio University at 1:15 p.m.