Norfolk State has been close to a MEAC softball title. No. 2 Spartans, led by large local contingent, think this could be the year.
This week, the Norfolk State softball team is looking to accomplish something it’s never done before — win a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament title.
The Spartans, led by first-year head coach Carrie Hoeft, wrapped up the regular season last week with a 24-21 overall record but were 14-6 in conference play.
“We stuck some games out that we really had to fight to finish to get to those 14 wins,” Hoeft said. “So I’m proud of us for that. We have a lot of come-from-behind wins. The girls are extremely resilient, and that’s not just in conference, but out of conference too. I think we took some games that we weren’t expected to, which is really positive.”
Norfolk State will host the tournament starting Wednesday. The No. 2 seed Spartans’ first matchup will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday against the winner of No. 4 Howard and No. 5 Coppin State.
“We’re competitive, so while I would love to clinch like a first-place finish for the regular season, I’m also realistic at the same time,” said Hoeft, a former NSU assistant. “... I definitely feel like we had to fight and claw our way to that second-place finish this year. I’m proud of them, I’m proud of it, (it’s a) big accomplishment.”
Norfolk State had 18 wins at home this year — the most of any team in the MEAC. With some home-field advantage this week, the Spartans are hoping they’ll add to that win total in the tournament.
“It’s awesome; we have so much energy when we play here,” senior Gabby Vaughan said. “All the sports come and support us, it’s just loud, it’s a different type of energy. I think we go higher when they go higher.”
Vaughan is one of the cornerstones for an experienced and well-rounded team. She has made her mark on the program’s record book during her five seasons at Norfolk State. Last month, she broke the record for career doubles in a game against Hampton.
“It’s just cool to help my team break many records like in the past, making history and then just hopefully finishing out, going out with a bang,” Vaughan said.
Vaughan — a former standout for Western Branch High in Chesapeake — leads the team with 10 doubles, seven home runs and 31 RBIs and is batting. .292.
“I’m very hard on myself, so I always think I could do better,” Vaughan said. “But I think just being in a lineup with people behind me that are gonna produce even if I have an off day, I feel a lot more comfortable going up to bat and performing for my team.”
The Spartans have excelled at the plate this year. Vaughan’s .292 batting average is only good enough for fourth on the team. Redshirt junior Yrral Davis (from Granby High in Norfolk) and sophomore Kenna Higa lead the team with .326 and .302 averages, respectively.
“I would say we’re dangerous one through nine,” Vaughan said. “On any given day, somebody could hit the ball.”
In the circle, Norfolk State has the second-best pitching staff in the conference, boasting a combined ERA of 3.53 and WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) of 1.45. Seniors Alexis Robinson (from Kempsville High in Virginia Beach) and Cam Andersen (Granby) anchored the staff with a combined 21 wins and 220 innings.
Vaughan is part of a large local contingent for the Spartans this season. Thirteen players on the roster are from Hampton Roads.
“I think nine out of the 10 seniors that we had this year were from the area,” Vaughan said. “I just think it’d be really cool because our family would probably be here and it would just be a surreal moment because we’ve all worked so hard.”
Norfolk State has been close before, but finally getting over the hump and winning a conference title would be “huge” for the program, Hoeft said.
“It’s something you know that we’ve talked about for the past couple of years because we’re aware of the talent level of our players,” Hoeft said. “Those wins are always good for marketing the program, it’s positive. It’s good for recruiting, things like that. But it really means a lot to them, especially my fifth-year kids, for them to have the opportunity to see all of their hard work and spending that extra year here come into fruition and actually get a title. That would be huge for my players.”
Michael Sauls, michael.sauls@virginiamedia.com
MEAC Softball Tournament
All games at Norfolk State
Wednesday
#3 N.C. Central vs. #6 Maryland Eastern Shore, 9 a.m.
#4 Howard vs. #5 Coppin State, noon
#1 Morgan State vs. N.C. Central/Maryland Eastern Shore winner, 3 p.m.
#2 Norfolk State vs. Howard/Coppin State winner, 6 p.m.
Thursday
Elimination games, noon and 3 p.m.
Winners’ bracket game, 6 p.m.
Friday
Semifinals, noon and 3 p.m.
Saturday
Championship round, noon (ESPN+) and (if necessary) 3 p.m.
