CLINTON, S.C. - The Norfolk State University softball team's start to the 2024 season saw them travel to Clinton, S.C. to compete in the Pinnacle Blue Hose Invitational which is from Feb. 9-10. The Spartans fell in both their doubleheader games against Tennessee Tech, 4-3, and Presbyterian College, 13-0.

Against Tennessee Tech, the Spartans jumped ahead three runs to none in the bottom of the first inning after capitalizing on a fielding error and a two-RBI single by E Sky Obispo.

Kachelle Refour, who finished with a team-leading two hits, singled on a bunt as the leadoff batter. Rylie Gilbreath put Refour in scoring position with her double to right field. 

Lauren Sheehan reached first on a fielding error by the pitcher to score Refour for the opening score of the game as the Spartans went up 1-0.

Sheehan would go on to steal second on the next at-bat just before Sky Obispo singled to left field to bring boh Gilbreath and Sheehan in to score, putting the Spartans ahead 3-0.

At the top of the third, the Eagles put together a four run inning to take the lead which they never surrendered.

Between the two Spartans pitchers, freshmen Kailey Bryant and Emma Zieg, they both combined for four 1-2-3 innings. Bryant pitched 2.1 innings allowing four hits and four runs against 14 batters faced.

Zieg pitched 4.2 innings in relief only allowing a solo hit while striking out four.

The Spartans collected seven hits as a team, with one double along with a stolen base.

Against Presbyterian, the Spartans received their first shutout loss of the season. The Spartans fell after an eight run first inning by the Blue Hose.

Gilbreath had three hits in the game, which led the team and tied for most from either team. She finished with three singles and one doubles across both games for the Spartans.

Coming up - The Spartans will compete against these two teams again tomorrow, Feb. 10, facing Tennessee Tech at 12 p.m. and Presbyterian at 2:30 p.m.