Box Score 1 - Box Score 2

ETTRICK, VA – The Virginia State University softball team earn two key victories over the defending CIAA champions the Hawks of Chowan University on Saturday afternoon, April 5^th on the campus of Virginia State University's softball field in a CIAA Northern Division matchup.

With the two wins, the Trojans sit in first place in the Northern Division with a record of 16-7 overall, 13-1 in CIAA play and 7-1 in the division. The Hawks fall to 11-27 on the season and 9-3 in CIAA play.

To start off the game, the Trojans scored two runs off of three hits to lead over the Hawks in conclusion of the first inning.

VSU's freshman Janay Joseph (Eastern Shore, VA) ignited the Trojans offense as she hit her second home run on the season in the bottom of the second inning to put VSU up 3-0.

CU's Courtney Baker would hit a sacrifice fly to score teammate Tori Cragan putting the Hawks on the book for one point however, Jessica Mattia (Accokeek, MD)  would strikeout Tina White to close the top of the fifth inning.

The Trojans never trailed in the first game and would take game one with a score of 4-2 over the Hawks.

In game two of the double header, the Trojans trailed Chowan for four innings as they allowed the Hawks to gain three runs and four hits in the first inning.

VSU's DeMone Brickhouse (Southhampton, VA) sparked the Trojans run in the bottom of the fifth inning as she hit a single out to centerfield to advance teammate Raelea Taylor (Aquasco, MD) to home plate.

As the momentum shifted in the Trojans favor, bases became loaded when Jameshia Smith (Halifax, VA) entered at bat to single out to left field advancing two runners home to tie the ball game at 3-3.

Verlisha Brandon's (Halifax, VA) earned run to home plate would give the Trojans their first lead of the ball game, 4-3 after Jamilia Smith (Halifax, VA) gained an RBI out to centerfield.

The Trojans scored a total of nine runs at the conclusion of five innings.

Chowan would try to make a run but it was not enough to compete with Virginia State as the Trojans secured their second victory with a score 9-6.

Mattia took two wins at the mound, as she earned a total of nine strikeouts in fourteen innings while allowing three batters to walk.

The Trojans return to action on April 6^th as they will host the Vikings of Elizabeth City State on senior day in a double header game for a CIAA Northern Division match-up. The first pitch is slated for 2:00 pm.