Softball player Hayley Norton has had a busy spring.

In addition to her studies, practices and games, she has also been rewriting the Red Flash Softball record book.

Entering the team’s doubleheader against Pitt on April 9, Norton holds school records in career hits (220), home runs (51) and runs batted in (194). She also ranks in the top five at SFU in runs scored (160).

The Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, native has been a model of consistency since her freshman year. Norton was named the Northeast Conference Rookie-of-the-Year in 2016 and was a First-Team All-NEC selection in 2016 and 2018. She was also named to the NEC All-Tournament Team in 2018.

“From my time here, Hayley has improved in her confidence and her consistency in her approach in practice and games,” said first-year head softball coach Jessica O’Donnell.

“Every time she steps up to the plate, I see a calm, cool and collected Hayley who is going to give you her best effort.”

Norton has helped lead her team to back-to-back NEC championships

As a sophomore in 2017, her team posted a win over New Mexico State in the NCAA Tournament. It was the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history.

“The accomplishment is an amazing feeling,” said Norton. “I honestly could not have done it without the help and support of my teammates.”

The Red Flash are currently 17-23 overall and 5-3 in the NEC. The team returns to league play on Saturday, April 13, hosting Sacred Heart in a doubleheader that begins at 1 p.m.

Saturday is also Senior Day. Prior to the game, Norton and the other seniors will be honored for their contributions to the program.

For Norton, however, her focus will be squarely on the Pioneers.

“We are in a good position to go back to the championship this year, but we will have to fight tooth and nail,” she said.

“I think we can all improve on feeding into each other and building off of each other’s momentum.”