Box Score
Norfolk State vs. La Salle Box (PDF)

NORFOLK, Va. – La Salle softball cracked the win column for the first time this season, defeating tournament host Norfolk State 12-0 in the final day of the Spartan Clash. Senior outfielder Megan Hodgson crushed her first homerun of the season, a two-run shot to centerfield in the sixth, finishing 3-for-5 with four RBI's. The homerun was her 19^th career round-tripper to put her all alone in first place on La Salle's all-time homerun list.
 
"The record means a lot to me because it shows how all my hard work has paid off," said Hodgson postgame.
 
Freshman Christina Bascara had an excellent day at the plate, going a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored. Freshman Michelle Hagarty went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI's. Senior Emily Moran added three hits, going 3-for-5 with a run and RBI.
 
While the Explorer bats were held silent in the first day of the tournament, they broke out in a big way against the host Spartans. The Blue and Gold laced 19 hits, with eight Explorers recording hits and five recording three or more.
 
"It was a real nice bounce back win for us," head coach Ron Shoemaker said. "I'm real happy with how the offense responded after a tough day yesterday."
 
Alicia Aughton (W, 1-1) got the start in the pitcher's circle for the Explorers, holding the Spartans in check. She went 4.2 innings, only giving up three hits while striking out two. Mary Cate Scott relieved Aughton with two outs in the fifth, holding Norfolk State scoreless through the final 2.1 innings to complete the shutout. She only relinquished one hit, while also fanning two.
 
"Obviously, we were really excited about the 19 hits and the 12 runs," head coach Ron Shoemaker said. "But we are not overlooking the job our pitchers did. You're always going to win when you shut the other team out."
 
La Salle wasted little time getting things going, striking for three runs in the top of the first inning. The first six Explorers reached base with five recording hits. Hagarty led off the game with a single to left, while Kendra Heyer walked and Bascara singled to center to load the bases. Hodgson and Aughton followed with infield singles to plate the first two runs, as the Explorers moved station to station. Genevieve Gaynor followed with a single up the middle to plate a third run, prompting the Spartans to make a pitching change.
 
Aughton retired the side in order in the first two frames, but the Explorers failed to get anything going at the plate in their next couple innings. The Blue and Gold threatened to extend the lead in the fourth, loading the bases with one out, but they failed to push across further insurance.
 
Aughton ran into some trouble in the home half of the fifth. After retiring the first two batters in the frame, the Spartans strung together back-to-back hits to push a runner into scoring position. Head coach Ron Shoemaker turned to Scott to settle things down. After the first batter reached on an error, Scott forced a fly out to get out of the bases loaded jam.
 
The Explorers added some insurance in the fifth. With two outs and a runner on second, Hodgson drilled a pitch over the centerfield fence to extend the lead to 5-0.
 
"She is inarguably one of the greatest players in La Salle history. That is indisputable," said Shoemaker.
 
The Blue and Gold turned the game into a rout in the final frame, plating seven runs in their half of the seventh. Hagarty had a two RBI double, plating Moran and Tori Golli, to get the inning started. Hodgson, Aughton, and Moran added RBI singles, while Gaynor and Golli added RBI walks.
 
Scott retired the side in the bottom of the seventh, fanning one, to close out the victory.
 
The Explorers (1-2) return to action on Monday March 3 in Winter Haven, Fla., as they play a twin bill against Niagara and St. Francis (Pa.). The double-header kicks off an eight game in five-day stretch at the Rebel Spring Games.