NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State softball team earned a pair of victories on Saturday afternoon, defeating Quinnipiac 6-1 and Saint Francis (Pa.) 4-2 to improve to 5-3 on the season. 

GAME 1 – NORFOLK STATE 6, QUINNIPIAC 1 
The Spartans jumped out early, plating four runs in the bottom of the first inning. 

Qween Edmonds opened the scoring, crossing home on a Kailey Bryant double. Bryant later scored when Maddy Morris launched a two-run home run over the left-centerfield wall to extend the lead to 3-0. Bristyl Riddick capped the inning by scoring on a Julia Kearney single to left center. 

Quinnipiac answered with a run in the top of the second inning on an RBI single. 

The Bobcats appeared poised to take the lead in the third with bases loaded, but a lineup infraction resulted in the third out of the inning, nullifying a grand slam and preserving Norfolk State's advantage. 

After a scoreless third inning, the Spartans added insurance in the fourth. Edmonds and Kachelle Refour both scored on another Bryant double, pushing the lead to 6-1. 

The defense held firm the rest of the way as Norfolk State secured the victory. 

GAME 2 – NORFOLK STATE 4, SAINT FRANCIS (PA) 2 
Norfolk State carried its momentum into game two, striking first in the second inning when Bristyl Riddick hit a solo home run to center field. 

Saint Francis responded with consecutive RBI singles to take a 2-1 lead. 

The game remained scoreless over the next three innings before the Spartans rallied in the bottom of the sixth. Riddick tied the game with her second home run of the day. Julia Kearney later scored on an RBI single from McKaley Kohn, and Kohn added an insurance run when Refour singled to left field. 

Saint Francis went down in order in the seventh inning, sealing the 4-2 Spartan win. 

UP NEXT 
The Spartans return to the diamond next weekend as they host Saint Peter's for a three-game series, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 28.