BOILING SPRINGS, NC  - The Hampton University softball team opened their 2018 season on Friday in the Gardner-Webb Invitational and dropped a pair of decisions to Youngstown State (7-1) and Western Kentucky (7-6 in 8 innings).

Game one saw the Penguins jump out to an early 6-0 lead before Hampton pushed a run across in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Quierra Bradford opened with a single and went to second one out later on a groundball by Morgan Crawford.  Ashley Grassini ripped a double to left field to score Bradford to bring Hampton to 6-1.

Taylor Warrick, Grassini, Bradford and Crawford each had one hit for Hampton in the opener.  Allyson Babinsack took the loss throwing three innings, allowing nine hits and three earned runs.

The second game of the day saw Hampton rally with three runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game, but the Hilltoppers pushed a run across in the top of the eighth for the 7-6 win.

After trailing 5-0 heading into the bottom of the third, Bradford smacked her first home run of the year to right-center to plate Kial Watts and Cassidy Blackwell who had walked and reached on a fielders choice earlier to bring Hampton to 5-3.

Western Kentucky pushed a run across in the top of the fourth, but Hampton scratched another three-spot in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings.  Lorena Alvarez opened with a single and advanced on a wild pitch before scoring as Warrick's fly ball to center was dropped for an error.  She scored on a double by Blackwell who tied the game scoring on a single by Bradford.

Blackwell was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and one driven in, while Bradford was 2-for-3 and drove in four runs.  Crawford joined the two-hit group going 2-for-4 as well. 

Hampton returns to action in day two of the invitational facing Western Kentucky again at noon and host Gardner-Webb at 4 pm.

For more information on Hampton University softball, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.