RICHMOND, Va. (May 3, 2026) — Virginia State University softball split a Sunday doubleheader against Virginia Union, earning a 12-9 victory in game one before falling 8-5 in the nightcap.
In the opener, the Trojans came out strong and set the tone early with two runs in the first inning and added two more in the second. Virginia State broke the game open in the third inning with a seven-run explosion, highlighted by home runs from Shmya Hankins and Ava Brown.
Mylia Knight led the offensive attack with three hits, while Lauren Parham and Siann Meadows also turned in strong performances at the plate. Hankins and Brown each provided key run production to fuel the Trojans' early advantage.
Despite building a commanding lead, Virginia Union mounted a late comeback effort, scoring multiple runs in the middle innings. However, Virginia State held on down the stretch to secure the win in game one.
In game two, the Trojans once again got off to a fast start, scoring four runs in the first two innings to take the early lead.
Virginia Union responded in the third inning, using a big offensive frame to swing the momentum and take control of the game. The Panthers added insurance runs in the fourth and held off Virginia State's attempts to rally late.
Parham led the Trojans offensively in the second game, while Micaiah Cooper added multiple hits. Siann Meadows and Shmya Hankins each contributed with RBIs, but Virginia State was unable to close the gap.
