NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State softball team hits the road this weekend, traveling to South Carolina State for a three-game MEAC series at Lady Bulldog Softball Field in Orangeburg, S.C. The series marks just the Spartans' second road trip of the season and the start of a seven-game stretch away from home. 

The teams will open with a doubleheader on Friday at 1 and 3 p.m., followed by a single game on Saturday at 12 p.m. 

FOLLOW ALONG 
Fans can follow all the action via live stats on the SCSU athletics website. 

THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE 
Friday, April 3 – vs. South Carolina State (DH) | 1 & 3 p.m. 
Saturday, April 4 – vs. South Carolina State | 12 p.m. 

ABOUT NORFOLK STATE 
Norfolk State enters the weekend at 17-11 overall and 7-2 in MEAC play, coming off a 2-1 series win over North Carolina Central at TowneBank Field. 

The Spartans have developed into one of the MEAC's most balanced offensive teams, leading the league with a .308 batting average, 236 hits, and 27 home runs. Five regular starters are hitting above .300, headlined by Maddy Morris, who is batting .380 with eight home runs, 21 RBIs, and a 1.204 OPS. Morris also leads the team with a .747 slugging percentage, anchoring the heart of the lineup. 

Kailey Bryant (.343) continues to set the tone offensively, pacing the team with 34 hits while adding nine doubles, two triples, and a team-high nine stolen bases. Bristyl Riddick (.358) leads the Spartans with 25 RBIs and six home runs, while Aniyah Michalak (.370) has been a consistent presence with a .440 on-base percentage, 22 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. McKaley Kohn (.321) rounds out the lineup, contributing 17 hits and eight RBIs. 

In the circle, Norfolk State relies on a steady one-two punch in Morris and Bryant. Morris leads the staff with a 7-4 record and a 1.91 ERA across 66.0 innings, holding opponents to a .239 batting average while recording 35 strikeouts. She has totaled five complete games, including two shutouts, along with one save. 

Bryant has added depth with a 5-4 record and a 3.08 ERA in 47.2 innings pitched, tallying 28 strikeouts. Together, the duo has combined for 12 wins and three shutouts, providing consistency throughout the Spartans' strong start in conference play. 

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA STATE 
South Carolina State enters the weekend at 11-11 overall and 6-3 in MEAC play, highlighted by series sweeps of Coppin State and Morgan State. The Lady Bulldogs most recently dropped a three-game series to Howard in Washington, D.C. 

Offensively, SCSU is led by Lashea Morlu, who is hitting .446 with a .516 on-base percentage, totaling 25 hits, 19 runs, and three triples. Dallas Hill (.379), Ellanie Yarrell (.368), and Jamaria Charley (.349) provide additional firepower, each recording 20+ hits and double-digit runs scored. Hill leads the team with 27 runs scored, while Charley has crossed the plate 22 times and drawn a team-high 13 walks. 

In the circle, the Lady Bulldogs rely on Dymond Roundtree, Ciara Farrar, and Aubrey Dent, who have combined for more than 97 innings pitched this season. Roundtree leads the staff with 49.0 innings and 28 strikeouts, while Farrar and Dent add depth and experience to the rotation. 

SERIES HISTORY 
Norfolk State holds a 50-31 all-time advantage over South Carolina State in a series that dates back to 1998. 

The Spartans took two of three games during the 2025 regular season, earning 5-3 and 7-5 victories in games one and three. SCSU claimed game two, 13-3, before the two teams met again in the MEAC Softball Tournament, where the Lady Bulldogs earned an 11-1 win in five innings. 

UP NEXT 
Norfolk State continues its road swing with a midweek matchup at Longwood on Tuesday, April 7, before traveling to Baltimore for a three-game MEAC series against Coppin State on April 11-12.