NORFOLK, Va. - Sophomore Hope Fletcher had one of her best pitching performances of the season, but the North Carolina A&T offense did not provide enough help in a 1-0 loss to Norfolk State in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader at NSU Softball Field. The Aggies lost the second game 12-1.
Fletcher pitched six innings, walked only three batters and did not surrender an earned run. Norfolk State's Nikki Jones hit a double to left center field with one out in the fourth inning. Gipsy Ramirez followed with a single.
Jones stopped at third, but when the ball was mishandled in center field, Jones scored the only run of the game. The error was the only way the Spartans were able to score off of Fletcher in the first game. She pitched her way out of trouble in the first, second and fifth innings.
As good as Fletcher was, NSU starter Casey Pomeroy was even better. She pitched a complete-game shutout, gave up three hits and walked two. The Aggies were able to advance only one runner into scoring position as a Dominique Smith single and a Tiffany Macklin sacrifice bunt moved Smith to second base in the third. But Tranea Jones grounded out to end the Aggies' biggest threat.
Fletcher dropped to 6-13 on the season, while Pomeroy improved to 9-8. The Aggies (7-31, 1-7) had just three hits in the second game as Jones was charged with the Game 2 loss. Senior Ryanne Hill had a hit in each game. NSU improved to 18-23 overall and 5-6 in the MEAC. N.C. A&T closes out the three-game series Sunday at noon.
