February 13, 2026
Softball Wins Opener, 5-1, Over Host Norfolk State
Hamilton fans seven in earning win, while Lawton drives in two runs on 3-4 day at the plate
The Central Connecticut State softball team opened the 2026 campaign with a 5-1 win over host Norfolk State Friday afternoon at the Spartan Clash
Grace Lawton led the Blue Devils offense with a 3-4 day at the place, and driving in a pair of runs in the opener. Liz Hamilton spun a complete game to earn the win, fanning seven while scattering four hits
CCSU knocked out nine hits in the opener, with five doubles. Stella Gasper (2-4) and Lilly Waterer (2-3) both had two hits in the win.
GAME INFORMATION |BOX SCORE
Score: CCSU 5, Norfolk State 1
Records: CCSU (1-0), Norfolk State (1-1)
Location: NSU Softball Stadium | Norfolk, VA
KEY MOMENTS
- The Blue Devils wasted little time getting the offense going as Latwon laced a two-out single that scored Ashlyn Desaulniers, who reached on an error leading off the top of the first inning.
- The host answered in the bottom of the inning on a one-out homerun from Qween Edmonds
- Central took the lead in the top of the fourth with an unearned run. Lawton led off the inning with a double and Abigail Mitchell pitch ran for her, advancing to third on a single from Gasper, coming home to score on an error by the NSU catcher.
- Hamilton retired 12 consecutive batters after the homerun, until Aniyah Michalak bunted for a single with one out in the fifth. She would advance to scoring position on a fielder's choice but would get stranded when Desaulniers threw out McKaley Kohn trying to stretch a single to a double.
- Consecutive two-out doubles from Waterer and Skylar Warn plated a run in the top of the sixth for a 3-1 lead.
- Reagan Vunak and Ava Cino worked two-out walks in the top of the seventh, bringing Lawton to the plate. She delivered a single to left field to plate Vunak. A batter later pinch runner Kendra Grove came home on a Gasper double to center field
- Ennovi Sandoval led off the bottom of the seventh with a pinch hit single, before Hamilton induced a flyout and a line drive double play from Michalak to close out the game.
