Game 1
Game 2

NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State softball team split a doubleheader with George Mason, winning the first game 1-0 and then falling 9-7 in game 2 on Tuesday afternoon at the NSU Softball Field.

In game 1, Rebecca Barnes (Hampton, Va.) provided all the offense NSU (8-7) needed to win the game. With two outs and a runner on base in the third inning, Barnes singled to left field to score Danielle Wright (Safety Harbor, Fla.).

Alyssa Velazquez (Aurora, Colo.) threw a seven-inning, three-hit complete game and struck out six for the win. Becky Anderson allowed six hits, one earned run and struck out four in six innings of work in the losing effort.

In the second game, the Patriots (10-9) jumped out to a quick 5-0 after the first two innings. But NSU answered by posting four runs in the bottom of the second frame to cut GMU's lead to one, 5-4. The Spartans tied things up in the third inning on Jamie Raab's (Houston, Tex.) RBI-single to center field that allowed Amelia Lewis (Brampton, Ontario) to score from third.

But the Patriots were not finished scoring as they posted four more runs in the top of the fourth with three of the runs coming on Anush Mooradian's  three-run home run. 

NSU could only manage two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to seal the win for GMU. Miranda Cranford earned the win after pitching a seven-inning complete game in which she gave up 10 hits, seven runs (three earned) and struck out three. Elizabeth Castaneda (Montclair, Calif.) took the loss after tossing three innings in relief and allowing five hits, five earned runs and striking out four batters.

On the day, Barnes and Raab each went 4-for-7 with a run and  one RBI.

The Spartans host Maryland Eastern Shore on Wednesday at 1 p.m.