NORFOLK, Va. - Madeline Janssen fired a four-hitter to keep the game close but North Carolina Central ultimately fell to Norfolk State 2-0 on Sunday in the series' final softball game at TowneBank Softball Field.

Janssen was strong on the mound despite the loss. She struck out five and allowed one earned run in six innings despite walking six batters. Norfolk State stranded nine players on base as Janssen, 4-2 in the MEAC, kept the Eagles in contention with her pitching.

Unfortunately, two runs were enough for the Spartans, who took two of three games from the Eagles in the weekend series. NCCU is now tied for fourth in the MEAC at 5-4 and is 7-26 overall while Norfolk State is second at 7-2 in the MEAC and 17-11 overall.

The Spartans scratched out a run in the second and fourth innings which held up against the Eagles, who totaled six hits and left eight players on base. The Eagles threatened in the seventh inning after back-to-back singles by Kristin Corner and Daiyah Bailey placed runners on first and second base with two outs.

On Saturday, the Eagles rallied for a 2-1 victory in the seventh inning on Kendal Daniels' two-run homer. On Sunday, the tying run was on first base in the seventh but a flyout ended the contest.

Bailey finished 3 of 4 and added a stolen base to lead the Eagles offensively. Janea Hudson and Mia De La Fuente in addition to Corner each collected a hit for NCCU. 

Sunday's game ended a competitive series with all three games decided by a combined total of four runs.

NEXT UP
After spending the last two weekends on the road, NCCU returns home to host Howard - the defending conference champion - in a three-game series at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, N.C., on April 3-4.